Don Cheadle To Trump After Dwyane Wade Comment: “You Truly Are A POS”
It’s a day ending in “y”, and so it is that Donald Trump has sparked another firestorm of criticism this morning, and in doing so landed himself the honor of being called “a POS” (piece of sh**) by House of Lies star Don Cheadle. The cause: a tweet politicizing the tragic death of 32-year-old Nykea Aldridge, cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade, who was shot and killed Friday night in Chicago. Offering no condolences, Trump used the occasion of her murder for a tone-deaf I-told-you-so brag session about his chances of landing the African American vote, in the process misspelling Wade’s first name.
“Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!” Trump said in a now-deleted tweet, replaced two hours later with one that got the Chicago Bulls Shooting guard’s name right, but was otherwise unchanged.
The comment came after a series of speeches held last week in which the GOP Presidential candidate pitched his case to African American voters, noting high rates of unemployment and violence afflicting their community. “What the hell do you have to lose?” Trump said Thursday, a message largely dismissed by that segment of the electorate, though Trump apparently remained confident enough about the pitch to comment as he did this morning. Unsurprisingly, he quickly became the object of intense criticism, with political commentators, civilians and celebrities alike excoriating him.
Among them, Don Cheadle, who said bluntly “you truly are a POS,” and continued to angrily slam the former host of NBC’s The Apprentice throughout the morning.
You are truly a POS https://t.co/cyTwxgxwDh
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
Sorry. I misspelled "die in a grease fire." https://t.co/16K2iq1pF4
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
People of Drumpf's ilk are contributors to the conditions that lead to the "Chicagos" of this country. https://t.co/5HOhpjIoAl
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
We get your meaning of the word "joke." This is like a Shakespearean farce except it could end in a mushroom cloud. https://t.co/djtsY8Kopt
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
Sports journalist and political commentator Keith Olbermann – a frequent, vocal critic of The Donald – also weighed in, blasting Trump for the typo and calling him a “psychopath.”
Next time, @realDonaldTrump, you congratulate yourself after a murder – you psychopath – spell the name right#Pig pic.twitter.com/tHvXoanbxN
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 27, 2016
Singer Michelle Williams was more diplomatic, simply calling Trump “a disgrace” and offering no further comment.
@realDonaldTrump An absolute disgrace
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) August 27, 2016
Others, like Bad Boys For Life director Joe Carnahan and Last Week Tonight writer Josh Gondelman, weighed in with bleak jokes.
A bottom ten day in American history will be the first time after Trump loses when someone still decides it's worthwhile to put him on tv.
— Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) August 27, 2016
The Conspiracy Theorist in me says Trump can't be this lame, this overtly bad, then I think of this… #collusion? pic.twitter.com/jLCb490ZdP
— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) August 27, 2016
After several hours of this, condolences for Aldridge’s death were tweeted from Trump’s account. However, political observers immediately pointed out that Trump’s original tweet came from his usual Android device, while the corrected tweet, as well as the much later apology, both came from iOs devices favored by his staff.
My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2016
For his part, Wade didn’t respond to Trump’s tweets, instead pleading for the lives of Chicago youth and calling for an end to violence in the city.
My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
RIP Nykea Aldridge… #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
The city of Chicago is hurting. We need more help& more hands on deck. Not for me and my family but for the future of our world. The YOUTH!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
These young kids are screaming for help!!! #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
The post was updated with additional information after publication.
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