As Hurricane Dorian approached the continental United States, a Sunday morning tweet from President Donald Trump spurred confusion and concern.
The President said that Alabama would "most likely" be hit by the hurricane.
In addition to Florida - South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, will most likely be hit (much) harde… https://t.co/G9N3uqS9Pd— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1567349506.0
Twenty minutes later to the minute, the Birmingham, Alabama National Weather Service tweeted definitively that, contrary to the president's tweet, Alabama would "NOT see any impacts from #Dorian."
Alabama will NOT see any impacts from #Dorian. We repeat, no impacts from Hurricane #Dorian will be felt across Ala… https://t.co/tI2SqytJga— NWS Birmingham (@NWS Birmingham) 1567350706.0
Despite this correction, Trump continued to make the claim again to reporters.
When ABC News White House correspondent Jon Karl expressed skepticism in his report of the President's baseless claim, Trump predictably lashed out on Twitter on Monday, calling Karl a "lightweight."
Such a phony hurricane report by lightweight reporter @jonkarl of @ABCWorldNews. I suggested yesterday at FEMA that… https://t.co/GK9ELdyK52— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1567466212.0
....when in fact, under certain original scenarios, it was in fact correct that Alabama could have received some “h… https://t.co/5qmKALBrJX— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1567466212.0
Trump claimed that original scenarios showed that he was "in fact correct" in telling Alabamans they were in Dorian's path. He did not elaborate on these scenarios. No models have shown Dorian as a threat to Alabama.
Twitter did not take kindly to Trump's spreading of misinformation.
@NWSBirmingham Donald is a clown.— 🌊Peanut🌊 (@🌊Peanut🌊) 1567371504.0
@NWSBirmingham Qanon will just say the Clintons used weather control to prove Trump wrong— Illuminaughty (@Illuminaughty) 1567367680.0
@NWSBirmingham Everyone knows that except President Trump. He also thinks Climate Change is a Chinese Hoax. Unfortu… https://t.co/JtdSmDy5aH— I love cats (@I love cats) 1567473071.0
Others took their concerns directly to the President's replies.
@realDonaldTrump @jonkarl @ABCWorldNews People are dying & in fear & you tweet petty insults to a fine reporter? Tr… https://t.co/1otGobaVhV— Rabbi Jill Zimmerman (@Rabbi Jill Zimmerman) 1567469021.0
@realDonaldTrump @jonkarl @ABCWorldNews Alabama is HERE, guy (red arrow). We know you have trouble with words, num… https://t.co/pSc8nQrqEm— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!) 1567477962.0
@realDonaldTrump @jonkarl @ABCWorldNews Says the idiot who wanted to nuke hurricanes, at least you tagged the right account this time.— David Weissman (@David Weissman) 1567466276.0
Trump cancelled a planned state visit to Poland to prioritize the impending damage from Dorian. He was recently spotted golfing at his club in Virginia.
Dorian is currently approaching the coast of Florida.
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