WHOOPS! Trump May Have Been Accidentally Punked By Fox News, Of All Places

Ed Mazza

President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired off a tweet claiming Americans who protested against the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh were supposed to be paid ― and were angry that they didn’t get their money.

He also repeated that claim at a rally in Iowa Tuesday night, saying “phony protesters” were supposed to be paid “and now they want to protest because they didn’t get paid yet and they want their money.”

The only problem?

Trump’s claims appear to be based on an off-hand and sarcastic comment made on Fox News.

Writer Asra Q. Nomani appeared as a guest on “Fox & Friends,” a show Trump is known to watch, to talk about her Wall Street Journal article linking billionaire George Soros to a number of groups that have organized protests.

But she was talking more about his financial support for organizations, not individuals.

She wrote in the Journal:

“Yet while most demonstrators are not paid for their efforts, the protests at the Capitol Saturday, and the ones that have included stalking lawmakers inside and outside their offices, are organized by groups of which Mr. Soros is an important patron.”

Asked on Fox News if protesters were being paid, she cracked that “because people have sent me lots of messages that they’re waiting for their check, a lot of sincere people are protesting.”

Nomani confirmed to Mediaite that the line about “waiting for their check” was sarcasm.

But the sarcasm was lost on Trump, who tweeted about 45 minutes after the “Fox & Friends” appearance:

Twitter critics were quick to respond:

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Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is sworn in by committee chairman Chuck Grassley, (R-Iowa).
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is sworn in by committee chairman Chuck Grassley, (R-Iowa).
Rachel Mitchell, counsel for Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, questions Christine Blasey Ford as Republican senators Mike Crapo, Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and John Cornyn listen during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Rachel Mitchell, counsel for Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, questions Christine Blasey Ford as Republican senators Mike Crapo, Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and John Cornyn listen during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Christine Blasey Ford is the first of three women to publicly accuse Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. This week, two additional women have also accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. 
Christine Blasey Ford is the first of three women to publicly accuse Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. This week, two additional women have also accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. 
A protester displays a note on her hand that reads 'No More' while demonstrating.
A protester displays a note on her hand that reads 'No More' while demonstrating.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y) cries as Christine Blasey Ford testifies. Blasey described "the uproarious laughter between the [Kavanaugh and Mark Judge]” as her most vivid memory from the alleged assault.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y) cries as Christine Blasey Ford testifies. Blasey described "the uproarious laughter between the [Kavanaugh and Mark Judge]” as her most vivid memory from the alleged assault.
Joy Gerhard, of Seattle, cries in the Hart Senate Office Building atrium as she listens on her phone to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testimony.
Joy Gerhard, of Seattle, cries in the Hart Senate Office Building atrium as she listens on her phone to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testimony.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., cries as Christine Blasey Ford testifies. 
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., cries as Christine Blasey Ford testifies. 
Demonstrators hug as they protest against the appointment of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Demonstrators hug as they protest against the appointment of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks as Christine Blasey Ford testifies.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks as Christine Blasey Ford testifies.
During a separate exchange, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), asked Blasey, &ldquo;Dr. Ford, with what degree of certainty do you believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;100 percent,&rdquo; she responded.
During a separate exchange, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), asked Blasey, “Dr. Ford, with what degree of certainty do you believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?”

“100 percent,” she responded.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) listens as Blasey testifies.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) listens as Blasey testifies.
Christine Blasey Ford speaks with her lawyer Michael Bromwich.&nbsp;
Christine Blasey Ford speaks with her lawyer Michael Bromwich. 
Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell questions professor Christine Blasey Ford.
Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell questions professor Christine Blasey Ford.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.