Condemn Trump Jr for suggesting people ‘need’ to buy guns during pandemic

14 March 2020 – In the middle of a global pandemic which is claiming lives, most public figures are appealing to the public to remain calm, to not engage in panic buying, and to follow basic hygiene to stop the spread of Corona 19 (please wash your hands often with soap and water, self-isolate if you have the symptoms, and take your advice from the WHO, the CDC or other experts).  Not Donald Trump Jr – who took to social media to imply that it is time to get a gun.

With some people panic-buying food and supplies (toilet roll is inexplicably high on the panic-buyers list), the last thing we need is a man with, inexplicably, millions of followers suggesting that during this time people should get a gun.

Here’s what he tweeted:

 

Donald Trump Jr.  @DonaldJTrumpJr

“The irony of it all is that it’s my Democrat friends reaching out to me now asking me which guns they should buy just in case… in particular which ARs.

“I guess they’re ok with the 2A now???  You don’t need it, till you need it.”

The First Amendment allows free speech, but it also lists many exceptions, including prohibiting speech likely to cause panic.  He basically told his 4.5 million followers, many of whom are already panicking over the Corona virus,  that they will need a gun.

George Takei, our founder, responded:  “Like any Democrat would be your friend. Sheesh.”

To capitalize on this serious global issue to try to increase gun sales to worried people is unacceptable.  It’s somehow just a bit creepier when you realize that junior’s doing that in light of people he knows being tested for the virus.  He could be spreading news about how to avoid COVID 19; instead he’s spreading fear.  As members of One Pulse for America, we are only too aware how much destruction and death is caused by people using guns out of fear.

ACTION

Please contact Twitter through one of the channels below and give them the following message, personalized to your liking:

 

I’m outraged that at a time when calm is needed above all else, you’ve allowed this post from Donald Trump jr to foster fear, imply that guns are needed during the pandemic, and that even his political enemies are asking for his help choosing a weapon!  If so much as one of his 4.5 million followers panic buys a gun and it is involved in an injury or death, both Trump and Twitter will be morally and arguably legally responsible.  It’s astounding anyone would capitalize on the Corona Virus spread to try to get people to buy guns.

As it is, his feed is filled with hate messages, misinformation and propaganda:  at the very least he should be taken off Twitter temporarily, although I’d prefer his were gone for good.  The US Constitution’s First Amendment guarantees free speech – but it clearly prohibits speech designed to cause panic.  If you can’t shout ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre, you can’t shout ‘you need a gun’ to a population already panicky about a global pandemic.  It’s an utter disgrace that may have serious consequences. 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TwitterInc/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Twitter

 

 

you can respond to Junior’s tweet here – https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1238935296676450304

and/or you can add a comment to George’s tweet here:  https://twitter.com/GeorgeTakei/status/1238951690033913857

Once you have made contact, fill out the three fields below and click the orange banner to report taking action!

Condemn Donald Trump Jr for Clinton Assault Rifle posts

5 January 2020 – Donald Trump Jr took to Instagram and Twitter to pose with an assault rifle bearing an image of Hillary Clinton behind bars as well as crusader imagery, used by the far right and xenophobic groups.

Some news outlets are rightly calling the post incitement to violence.  Trump Jr is well aware he has many followers (4 million on Twitter) and that there are cases of people who follow his family being incited to violence (William Celli for instance).

The behavior of the president’s son in this case endorses assault rifles, targets Hillary Clinton – almost literally – and adds crusader imagery associated with the far right.  It is not a dog whistle, it is a clear message to his supporters endorsing shooting, violence, and arguably racism.

According to many experts and publications such as Voz Wire, “The Crusader Cross’ has often been used by far-right groups. The symbol is used to represent the anti-Muslim ideology. Both the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center have identified the symbol as one used by hate groups.

“On Monday, a spokesperson for Trump Jr. denied that symbol carried any white supremacist meaning.

“Symbols on firearms depicting various historical warriors are extremely common within the 2nd Amendment community. Don’s Instagram post was strictly about him using a famous meme to mock Hillary Clinton, as he and many others have done on numerous occasions and will surely do again in the future, so long as it continues triggering humorless liberals,” Trump Jr’s spokesperson Andy Surabian told CNN.”

ACTION:

Join in the condemnation of Donald Trump Jr’s post by please engaging via one of the channels below and using the following message, personalized to your liking:

It is a disgrace that Trump’s son should be  behaving so irresponsibly.  The image of Hillary  Clinton behind bars mixed with glamorizing an assault rifle may well incite violence:  his father’s words against groups from Muslims and Mexicans through journalists and Democrats has resulted in violent incidents, including at Trump rallies.  Trump Jr’s  glib photo is insulting the 41,000 Americans shot last year including those massacred with assault rifles and their loved ones.

 

Here are some of the best places to call out Trump jr’s vile post:

 

Instagram – DJT :  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B67J4TTlnDn/ 

Facebook:  You can either post a message about this to your own page, or choose one of the many places this is being discussed, and add a comment.  Do your own search or use this one:  https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=donald%20trump%20jr%20assault%20rifle%20and%20Hillary&epa=SEARCH_BOX

 

Twitter Fred Guttenberg (see image of his tweet below:  https://twitter.com/fred_guttenberg/status/1214624687340343297

 

Once you have made contact, fill out the three fields below and click the orange banner to report taking action!  And remember, you can do this more than once.