The image of a six-pointed star featured in a now-deleted tweet by Donald Trump has angered some people who’ve slammed it as anti-Semitic.
Trump’s camp has vehemently denied such intent in the anti-Hillary Clinton tweet, but it’s not the first time the campaign has had to defend its social media activity amid a storm of controversy.
In addition, there have been other instances where Trump has been criticized for retweeting or featuring edited photos by Twitter users who appear to be supporters.
Take, for instance, the one in January when Trump's account retweeted a post by Twitter user "@WhiteGenocideTM" that showed a doctored photo of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush appearing to stand in front of Trump Tower holding a sign that read "Vote Trump."
That user, whose profile identifies him as "Donald Trumpovitz," regularly retweets racist material.
As for the six-pointed star uproar, Dan Scavino, Trump campaign social media chief, said he posted the original image, which showed Clinton's face over a backdrop of cash with a red six-pointed star that read "Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!"
The original version has since been deleted and replaced with an altered tweet, swapping in a circle for the star that had evoked stereotypes for some critics by combining cash and a star that resembled the six-pointed Star of David that symbolizes Judaism.
Scavino said Monday that the image "was lifted from an anti-Hillary Twitter user where countless images appear."
Scavino became director of social media for Trump's presidential campaign in July 2015, according to his LinkedIn page.
In a statement Scavino released on Monday after the firestorm, he detailed why he chose to use that particular graphic, and why he chose to replace it.
"The sheriff’s badge -- which is available under Microsoft’s 'shapes' -- fit with the theme of corrupt Hillary and that is why I selected it," he said.
"As the social media director for the campaign, I would never offend anyone and therefore chose to remove the image."
Even though it's his domain in title, Scavino is not necessarily a gatekeeper when it comes to his boss' social media accounts.
"He doesn't run anything by me," Scavino told CNN in an April article that was updated today.
During a CNN town hall before the Wisconsin primary in April, Trump shared such a sentiment
"During the day, I’m in the office, I just shout it out to one of the young ladies who are tremendous," he said during the appearance.
Trump went on to note that after about 7:00 p.m., he operates the Twitter feed himself.
When it came for a response to this latest photo incident, Trump turned to Twitter once again.
He later issued a statement saying it was "ridiculous" for Clinton's team to try "to link the Star of David with a basic star, often used by sheriffs who deal with criminals and criminal behavior."
But Clinton isn't the only one criticizing the Trump team's use of the graphic.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., criticized Trump's tweet during a radio interview with conservative Wisconsin radio host Charlie Sykes this morning. And Ben Carson, who supports Trump, posted a cryptic Tweet that has been interpreted by many as a possible warning directed at Trump.
from ABC News: Politics http://ift.tt/29fZgUM
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