Donald Trump deleted a tweet blasting Hillary Clinton after social media erupted over the inclusion of a six-point star, which critics said could be seen as an anti-Semitic use of the Star of David.
The tweet featured a faux newsmagazine cover showing a drawing of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee against a backdrop of hundred-dollar bills. On the right, in a red, six-pointed star, were the words, “Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!”
At the bottom was a reference to a Fox News poll that purportedly found 58 percent of respondents believe Clinton is “corrupt.”
The original tweet was posted on @realDonaldTrump — the confirmed account of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee — at 9:37 a.m. Saturday, July 2.
Social media was quick to respond, with Josh Schwerin, spokesman for the Hillary Clinton campaign, tweeting: “Why is there a Star of David?” Zeke Miller, political reporter for Time, posted simply: “Uh oh… (That star…)” while Vox writer Matthew Iglesias noted “some interesting graphic design choices here.”
Josh Barro, a senior editor at Business Insider, weighed in with this tweet: “Oh, great, A Star of David over money.”
The Verge reports the original tweet was posted on @realDonaldTrump — the confirmed account of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee — at 9:37 a.m. ET, and stayed up for more than two hours before it was deleted. Trump later posted a similar tweet featuring a circle instead of a star.
The Verge said the Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Unlike other items on Trump’s Twitter feed that have raised eyebrows, such as an unflattering photo of Sen. Ted Cruz’s wife, the Clinton item was not a re-tweet but appeared to be created and posted by the Trump team.
(Doug Stanglin writes for USA Today)