It was 34 years ago when an Islamic terrorist attack resulted in the deaths of 241 American soldiers and 58 from the French military in Beirut, Lebanon. In honoring those who lost their lives, Donald Trump sent out a Tweet, though his critics made sure to fire back.
Trump on Beirut
On October 23, 1983 during the middle of the Lebanese Civil War, two tuck bombs exploded and stuck two different buildings in the city of Beirut. The attack killed close to 300 people, including 241 Americans, nearly 60 members of the French military, as well as several civilians.
The group responsible was an Islamic terrorist organization known as "Islamic Jihad," who noted that their attack was to push the Multinational Force in Lebanon (MNF) peacekeepers out of the region. The incident was the source of controversy at the time for former President Ronald Reagan and his administration, with questions still remaining over three decades later. On Monday, many honored those who were killed in the attack, with Vice President Mike Pence speaking out during a ceremony. In response, Donald Trump retweeted a message Pence posted to his social media account on October 23, while adding a separate response of his own.
We will never forget the 241 American service members killed by Hizballah in Beirut. They died in service to our nation. https://t.co/BaQZDA3s2e
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2017
Taking to Twitter on Monday night, Donald Trump added his thoughts about the 34th anniversary of the tragic bombings in Beirut.
"We will never forget the 241 American service members killed by Hizballah in Beirut," Trump tweeted out, before adding, "They died in service to our nation." Not long after Trump's tweet, those who oppose the president gave their thoughts.
Twitter reacts
In response to Donald Trump's Twitter post about the Beirut barracks bombings, his critics took time to rip into the current commander in chief.
"This coming from a man who just insulted the widow of a heroic soldier," one tweet read, which followed up by adding, "You are no friend of the military. You insult a POW in John McCain and then the widow of a soldier killer in Niger."
In fairness,you likely won't forget those who died in Lebanon. Because you never remembered them to begin with; your staff posted this tweet
— Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) October 23, 2017
It would've been nice if you didn't attack the pregnant widow of the fallen soldier by implying that she's a liar
— Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) October 23, 2017
"It would've been nice if you could've commemorated 4 fallen soldiers two weeks before you did," another tweet noted.
"You forgot the name of Sgt. La David Johnson on the phone call to his wife. Even though his file was likely sitting right in front of you," an additional tweet added.
But you forgot the FOUR that were killed in Niger earlier this month! Hypocrite!
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TaIbertSwan) October 23, 2017
You are no friend of the military. You insult a POW in John McCain and then the widow of a soldier killer in Niger.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) October 23, 2017
Yeah, you probably will forget considering you can’t remember the service members that died this month.
— LAPv3 (@LAPv3) October 23, 2017
"But you forgot the FOUR that were killed in Niger earlier this month! Hypocrite!" yet another post added. The backlash continued to pour in against Donald Trump's Twitter post, as the opposition made sure to have its voice be heard.
