And here's a late entry for "most tasteless tweet of 2017," courtsey of former President Barack Obama's foreign policy advisor Ben Rhodes.
And alongside the obits for Ryan, McConnell, and Pence https://t.co/fOrm1JZwpu
— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) December 21, 2017
The tweet was in response to former Obama advisor Dan Pfeiffer tweeting one of President Donald Trump's Instagram photos, saying that he hopes the image is used when Trump is impeached. Rhodes took it up a notch by saying that he hopes the picture is run alongside the obituaries for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), and Vice President Mike Pence.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this didn't go over too well on both the left or the right.
You’re not well. https://t.co/yiQG7REgy3
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) December 21, 2017
I'm a liberal, and that's a horrible statement. Frustration is no reason to lose civility in the debate.
— Glenn Jonas (@Docjonas) December 21, 2017
If a conservative had tweeted about wanting to see obituaries for the Vice-President and House/Senate leaders, it would be front-page outrage.
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) December 21, 2017
But since a former Obama staff member said it… ?????? https://t.co/bR1qVq3cgl
Ryan's Press Secretary AshLee Strong said that Rhodes' rhetoric was dangerous and could inspire violence.
And if you have any doubts about what rhetoric like @brhodes’ inspires, just look at the responses here. https://t.co/gjYLg7u6cY
— AshLee Strong (@AshLeeStrong) December 21, 2017
This is a pretty distasteful joke, especially in light of how several Republican members of Congress were nearly murdered earlier this year in June. It's just not funny, nor is it appropriate--especially from a former White House official.
