An MSNBC tweet on late Thursday that framed France’s latest terror attack as a “truck crash” elicited a stinging response from readers.
“Follow our live blog for the latest from Nice after a truck crash leaves at least 70 dead,” the network tweeted at 8:49 p.m. EST., well after even President Obama and French President Francois Hollande called the event an act of terrorism.
Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, 31, killed at least 84 people during Bastille Day ceremonies by plowing a giant truck through crowds along the Promenade des Anglais.
“We cannot deny that it was a terror attack,” Mr. Hollande told the country during a nationally televised address.
“We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack,” added Mr. Obama in a statement.
The news curation website Twitchy highlighted the most pointed responses following MSNBC’s “truck crash” notice.
Some include:
- “#MSNBCHeadlines Founding Fathers Only Intended All Citizens to Have Wagons, Not Assault-style Trucks.”
- “84 Pedestrian protesters damage Muslim-owned truck in Nice, France hate crime. #MSNBCHEADLINES”
- “French racists prevent Muslim truck driver from making deliveries #MSNBCHeadlines”
- “Clearer Roadway Markings Essential To Pedestrian Safety As Evidenced In Nice Truck Accident #MSNBCHeadlines”
MSNBC’s “pinned” tweet, a message that supersedes all others, mentioned the attack on Friday but did not reference terrorism.
“LIVE UPDATES: Dozens dead, including Americans, following truck attack in France,” the tweet reads.
The “truck attack” framing also received widespread condemnation from readers.
“@MSNBC You guys just can’t […] bring yourselves to say it, huh?” wrote reader Chris Hynes.
“When did the incident convert from a ’truck crash’ to a ’truck attack’?” added another.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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