The hashtag, #WrongTrump became a trending topic over the weekend after the death of President Donald Trump’s brother, Robert.
Robert Trump, 71, died on Saturday after being hospitalised in New York for brain bleeds caused by a recent fall.
“It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight,” Trump said in a statement.
“He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.”
Within minutes of the announcement, it had attracted vitriol from twitter users unsympathetic to the president’s loss.
“Dear Grim Reaper, You took the #wrongtrump,” wrote Twitter user Talbert Swan, a pastor and president of the Greater Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP).
“#wrongtrump is trending because many people wish it was Donald, not his brother Robert, who died. Some find that to be in bad taste. But Trump is killing a thousand people a day. Is it wrong to want it to stop?” another user quizzed.
Another tweeted: “It’s ironic that most of the people who find it in poor taste have absolutely no problem with him calling 165,000 COVID deaths, “it is what it is.” Nor his vile disgusting misogyny, racism, and overall abhorrent behavior. Trump only stopped by the hospital for appearance sakes.”
Others however, recoiled at the idea of celebrating death, criticising the trend for insensitivity.
“#wrongtrump is what I consider ‘dark humour’, very useful in keeping our spirits up in the face of such atrociousness. Staying mindful not to become what we fight: hateful, fearful, vindictive, name-calling,“ wrote one user.
Conservatives in particular came out strongly against the trend.
“If a conservative tweeted stuff like #wrongtrump about John Lewis or some other (Democrat) politician Twitter would instaban them,” one user wrote.
