Boasting ‘No Photo Ops,’ Trump Booster Posts Afghan Trip Video — With Photo Ops
Reprinted with permission from Alternet
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, a far right wing BFF to Donald Trump, Jr. and vehement supporter of President Donald Trump is getting roundly mocked after posting a tweet insisting the Commander-in-Chief’s trip to Afghanistan had “No press” and “No photo ops” – despite including a video that literally showed photo ops.
“Incredible,” Kirk tweeted. “President Trump made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan to visit our troops No press No photo ops Just there to support our brave men and women in uniform I’m thankful for our troops today and I’m thankful for a president who is too.”
Incredible:
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 28, 2019
President Trump made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan to visit our troops
No press
No photo ops
Just there to support our brave men and women in uniform
I’m thankful for our troops today and I’m thankful for a president who is too
pic.twitter.com/PcYXby52bO
Like many of Kirk’s tweets supporting Trump, it was untrue. And as for “unannounced,” all high-level trips to combat zones or other theaters of war are always unannounced for security reasons.
As some on social media noted, about 14 seconds into the video Kirk posted, one of the officers accompanying Trump shouts, “Alright who wants some photos?”
Kirk’s TPUSA, plagued by allegations of racism and anti-Semitism (and a defense of Hitler) is financially supported by far right billionaires like Foster Friess, and by right wing extremists like Ginni Thomas (married to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas).
Even though it supposedly – according to Kirk – wasn’t a photo op, President Trump quickly posted video of him with the troops:
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! pic.twitter.com/7SGZnHindW
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2019
And on Friday Trump posted photos of his trip:
Just returned to the United States after spending a GREAT Thanksgiving with our Courageous American Warriors in Afghanistan! pic.twitter.com/b2vgY5BH6z
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2019
Many on Twitter were quick to mock Kirk, who has a reputation for spreading falsehoods that favor Trump.
Take a look:
This is a lie. There was press and of course a photo op. Is it exhausting to lie all the time? https://t.co/c8JvIyFy2d
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) November 29, 2019
The press was there and you can literally see camera flashes going off in this video (in which Trump poses for a photo less than a minute in) https://t.co/7cBTwfTOpl
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) November 29, 2019
Sorry to break it to you, @charliekirk11, but this is a tax-payer funded propaganda video shoot Hail Mary attempt to win in 2020 and stay out of jail. Wake up! https://t.co/ChqkuHNQeB
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) November 29, 2019
Incredible. Here people is an example of disinformation. A lie to over 1-million followers. “No press No photo ops”. https://t.co/kmZDP6wjLG
— Doug Meehan (@dougmeehan) November 29, 2019
It really is amazing, Charlie. I’ve watched this video 1,204 times and there is no video of it. Also there are no cameras or people taking pictures. Also I just stuck a fork into an electric socket. https://t.co/VQacLpiREu
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 29, 2019
You don’t see anything strange about this statement, sir? https://t.co/F33VynpAPm
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2019
Yes.
— Quinn Cummings (@quinncy) November 29, 2019
No press.
You’re just imagining these images. https://t.co/dft1QlukkB
Wait. If there was no press and there were no photo ops — where’d the video come from? https://t.co/ATqYSamw8K
— Millennial Politics (@MillenPolitics) November 29, 2019
Dumbass, you INCLUDED THE PRESS FOOTAGE IN YOUR TWEET.
— John Henson (@John_Henson) November 29, 2019
Lie better. https://t.co/ye6NnxtktG
Dude literally walking around with the big ass studio camera 😂😂😂 https://t.co/cn2PhMGhfG
— Crown Spokesperson (@KingOfCrown5) November 29, 2019
You must be a complete fucking idiot! No photo ops? You attached a video of the visit you fucking schmuck. https://t.co/uTb2ZBKH8F
— Steve Kerzner (@stevek420) November 29, 2019
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore
