Twitter can’t handle Donald Trump’s bizarre comment about George Washington
It feels like we can’t go a single day without Donald Trump saying something either wildly offensive or completely nonsensical (and sometimes both). Who can forget the time he didn’t know how grocery stores work? Or when he made the mystifying assertion that windmills cause cancer? And now, the internet has just learned that POTUS made another highly questionable comment…this time involving the first president of the United States, George Washington.
Politico first reported on the “truly bizarre” moment today, April 10th, noting that the president made the comment during an April 2018 private tour of Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon, where he was accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife.
"If he was smart, he would’ve put his name on it," Trump said, referring to the first president. "You’ve got to put your name on stuff or no one remembers you."
Trump’s tour guide—the President and CEO of Mount Vernon, Doug Bradburn—reportedly then noted that the capital city of the entire United States of America is named after Washington. Trump’s response? “Good point,” said with a laugh. And according to Politico, Bradburn has told multiple people that the Macrons knew more about Mount Vernon than the American president. (Let that sink in.)
Twitter wasted no time in mocking Trump’s comment. Because, like, nothing is named after Washington, right?
There is a 99.99% chance he did not know Washington D.C. was named after George Washington pic.twitter.com/XTL3u6wCpb
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) April 10, 2019
No one remembers George Washington, says man who lives in Washington, D.C., and whose job was first filled by George Washington. https://t.co/cKVpdc078j
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) April 10, 2019
WHY DIDN’T GEORGE WASHINGTON PUT HIS NAME ON ANYTHING? WHO THE HELL IS VERNON? pic.twitter.com/odecZ7u9VU
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) April 10, 2019
donald trump lives in a city named after george washington, across the street from a monument also named after george washington https://t.co/Ap71C9TGOt
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) April 10, 2019
There are plenty of places named after George Washington. I guarantee you my state will never be named Trump. pic.twitter.com/QObGkVgpey
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) April 10, 2019
Truly, there are not enough things named after George Washington in the city of Washington, home to George Washington university and Georgetown. How will we remember the name?https://t.co/yaPb9rLeLm
— Kate Cox (@KCoxDC) April 10, 2019
And nobody remembers him at all.
George Washington has been dead for 220 years and his face is still on the one-dollar bill. I don’t think he needs branding advice from a glorified carnival barker. https://t.co/8vlyiHUbKt
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) April 10, 2019
Yeah, too bad no one remembers George Washington. Such a shame. https://t.co/4M3CsEJ5x1
— Eli Pariser 🏞📲 (@elipariser) April 10, 2019
Who is George Washington again? Name is a little familiar.
— Dani Bostick (@danibostick) April 10, 2019
History Teacher: George Washington
Trump: pic.twitter.com/BWojVxlZea
— hal (@hallielane67) April 10, 2019
The Washington Post (note the name) has since reported on why Mount Vernon isn’t named after the first POTUS. Apparently, it gets its name from British Admiral Edward Vernon, who was the commanding officer for Washington’s half-brother Lawrence Washington. Lawrence gave the estate its historic moniker, and George kept it in honor of his brother.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1115999108110725120
Let’s just hope Trump uses this as a learning moment (even though we have a feeling he won’t).
