Taylor Swift accuses President Trump of 'stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism'

29 May 2020, 19:22

The singer criticised Mr Trump for his response to protests in Minneapolis
The singer criticised Mr Trump for his response to protests in Minneapolis. Picture: PA

By Megan White

Taylor Swift has accused US President Donald Trump of "stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism" on Twitter.

The singer criticised Mr Trump for his response to violent protests in Minneapolis over an incident where a black man died while being arrested.

Watch: Minneapolis police station firebombed over George Floyd death

George Floyd was seen on camera gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck before he died on Monday night.

In a tweet which tagged the President, Swift said: "After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? We will vote you out in November."

Minneapolis George Floyd protests: US police arrest CNN reporter and crew live on air

The singer also quoted a tweet from the President that he said was addressed at the "thugs" who are "dishonouring the memory of George Floyd" with the protests.

Former President Barack Obama also released a statement after Mr Floyd's death, saying it "should not be normal in 2020 America."

President Trump wrote: “I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis.

“A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right.”

He later added: “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen.

“Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way.

“Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”

Twitter placed a message alongside the second tweet, warning that it breached the site's rules for glorifying violence.

President Trump's tweet was accompanied by a message from Twitter
President Trump's tweet was accompanied by a message from Twitter. Picture: Twitter

Twitter said: "This Tweet violates our policies regarding the glorification of violence based on the historical context of the last line, its connection to violence, and the risk it could inspire similar actions today.

"We've taken action in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts, but have kept the Tweet on Twitter because it is important that the public still be able to see the Tweet given its relevance to ongoing matters of public importance.

"As is standard with this notice, engagements with the Tweet will be limited. People will be able to Retweet with Comment, but will not be able to Like, Reply or Retweet it."

After the President’s tweets, troops were deployed to the city amid continuing protests which have caused widespread destruction and fires.

Mr Trump has claimed that he has been unfairly treated by the social media platform, and accused it of targeting him and his supporters.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Justin Welby recalled his experience of coping with his father's drinking as a teenager.

‘It was utterly isolating’: Archbishop of Canterbury recalls harrowing experience of growing up with his alcoholic father

More than 2 million drivers are set to hit the road on Good Friday.

Easter Carmageddon: Over two million drivers to hit the road on Good Friday after Storm Nelson travel chaos

Michael Gove has slammed the water firm as a 'disgrace'.

Thames Water bosses branded a ‘disgrace’ as Michael Gove tells firm ‘not to punish consumers’ for its failings

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster

A council has had to apologise following the incident.

Fury as parents offered version of school class photo without complex needs pupils

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus falls from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing at least 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Exclusive
Starmer has vowed to resurrect Boris Johnson's 'Levelling Up' policy

Failure to ‘level up’ Britain would be ‘catastrophic’, Wes Streeting admits, as Starmer vows to resurrect Johnson policy

Border Force staff will walk out from April 11

Hundreds of Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport to stage four-day strike

Stephen Bear was ordered to pay Ms Harrison £5,000.

Disgraced reality TV star Stephen Bear ordered to pay £27,000 over revenge porn conviction or face nine months in jail

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison for crypto fraud