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People Made Trump Instantly Regret His All Caps Tweet Commemorating Good Friday With a Religion Lesson for the Ages
In the Christian tradition, Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe died in order to atone for their sins. It's a day of gratitude and celebration. It's a happy occasion.
But while Easter Sunday is jovial, Good Friday—despite what its name might imply—is not.
Good Friday mourns Christ's crucifixion and the sins that made it necessary. It's a somber occasion, especially in the Catholic tradition.
Christians around the world commemorate the brutal execution by fasting, refraining from speaking, praying the rosary, and attending stations of the cross.
So a tweet from President Donald Trump wishing a "happy" Good Friday—complete with all caps and an explanation point—struck a sour note.
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY TO ALL!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1586529153.0
When he's not bragging about sexual assault, blatantly lying, or bullying people on Twitter, the President often touts his Christianity while speaking to evangelical Christians, who also happen to make up a large amount of his voting base.
Like many of his actions, the tweet struck numerous people as insensitive and contradictory to the values he claims to champion.
People pointed out that Good Friday does not, in fact, mean the same thing as TGIF.
@realDonaldTrump This is a solemn day for Christians. It's not called Happy Friday. Like not knowing what the sig… https://t.co/B0v94rZMYm— Joe Lockhart (@Joe Lockhart) 1586532305.0
And a festive Day Of Christ's Death Agonies to you too, Sir! https://t.co/EKEq0tCdJc— Doktor Zoom (@Doktor Zoom) 1586529626.0
@realDonaldTrump I am not even Catholic and I know that Good Friday is not a happy holiday.— David Weissman (@David Weissman) 1586536768.0
This is so sweet. My kids are always so excited by all the gifts under the crucifixion tree, but for me it's about… https://t.co/834RVOs1zO— Chris Turner (@Chris Turner) 1586551604.0
"Happy"? He has no clue. https://t.co/x5wxsFVHKN— Julia Davis (@Julia Davis) 1586537100.0
I may be an atheist now but I spent 40+ years attending Mass, Tre Ore, doing Stations of the Cross etc. Clearly D… https://t.co/P2YMg8BPZS— PortiaMcGonagal (@PortiaMcGonagal) 1586542290.0
This is the *sad* day. The *happy* one is on Sunday. Join us next time for another episode of Easter For Three Year… https://t.co/QnmlPdt4Hu— David Baddiel (@David Baddiel) 1586534264.0
Trump has previously said that, though he's Christian, he bristles at the idea of asking for forgiveness. He also referred to the Bible chapter, II Corinthians (second Corinthians), as "Two Corinthians," which is understandable because he can't name a Bible verse either, despite claiming it's his favorite book.
This was just the latest instance of Trump tipping his hand.
@realDonaldTrump Just another evidence you know absolutely NOTHING about Christianity. There's nothing happy about… https://t.co/slyuhhoR19— Chidi®️ (@Chidi®️) 1586529502.0
@realDonaldTrump “Happy” Good Friday? Is that like “Two Corinthians”? Fraud.— Frank Figliuzzi (@Frank Figliuzzi) 1586542711.0
@realDonaldTrump You... you REALLY don't go to church very much do you?— Greg Wilson (@Greg Wilson) 1586555930.0
Jesus wept.
For a deeper look into the relationship between the evangelical community and leaders like Trump, check out The Immoral Majority, available here.