In the weeks since Donald Trump was elected president, the political divide in the United States has only widened. After Trump held a press conference on Wednesday, backlash quickly followed, including from celebrities on social media.
Trump backlash
At Trump Tower in New York City Wednesday afternoon, the press and the media gathered together to cover Donald Trump and his press conference for nearly 90 minutes, which has since dominated the headlines. Trump quickly dismissed a recent CNN report that claimed Russia had obtained "compromising" information about him that could lead to blackmail.
The report gained so much attention that Trump refused to allow CNN reporter Jim Acosta to ask a question at the press conference, telling him that he was "fake news." In response, various celebrities took to Twitter to voice their opposition, including actress Rosie O'Donnell on January 12.
I FULLY SUPPORT IMPOSING MARTIAL LAW - DELAYING THE INAUGURATION - UNTIL TRUMP IS "CLEARED" OF ALL CHARGES https://t.co/fUn8FZ8RTj
— ROSIE (@Rosie) January 12, 2017
"I FULLY SUPPORT IMPOSING MARTIAL LAW - DELAYING THE INAUGURATION - UNTIL TRUMP IS 'CLEARED' OF ALL CHARGES," Rosie O'Donnell wrote in all caps on Twitter. Actor George Takei also chimed in, accusing the president-elect of hiring people to cheer for him at his press conference.
"Trump had paid staffers at his press conference cheer and clap for him. He still thinks he's campaigning," Takei tweeted, before added, "It's just so damned unseemly."
Trump had paid staffers at his press conference cheer and clap for him. He still thinks he's campaigning. It's just so damned unseemly.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 12, 2017
The only question that matters is was there collusion between Trump campaign and Russia. DT has never answered that. #Treason
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) January 12, 2017
"The only question that matters is was there collusion between Trump campaign and Russia.
DT has never answered that," actor and director Rob Reiner posted on Twitter, while adding the hashtag "#Treason." On the actual press conference, author Stephen King was clear with his thoughts, writing, "Goodness, that was a train wreck."
Goodness, that was a train wreck.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 11, 2017
Moving forward
While many reacted negatively to Donald Trump and his press conference, the billionaire real estate mogul appeared pleased.
On his own Twitter account, Trump wrote, "We had a great News Conference at Trump Tower today." Later in his tweet, and in follow-up messages, he continued his attack on CNN and other mainstream media outlets, blasting them as "fake news." In just over a week, Trump will head to Washington, D.C. where he will be sworn in as the next President of the United States. While the ceremony takes place, the former host of "The Apprentice" will have to deal with an expected crowd of 100,000 leading a protest against him.
