Former Michigan Rep. John Dingell died Thursday evening, at the age of 92. He was in office from 1955-2015, making him the longest-serving member of Congress in history.
He was also damn good at Twitter, and no fan of the current Oval Office occupant. Thus it seems fitting that, after Donald Trump used his thumbs to send empty condolences to the Dingell family, fans and followers of the beloved Democrat simply could not let that stand.
First, DJT’s weird and meaningless “in memoriam.”
Deepest sympathies to Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and the entire family of John Dingell. Longest serving Congressman in Country’s history which, if people understand politics, means he was very smart. A great reputation and highly respected man.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2019
Obviously, this is a strange, strange Tweet.
That’s a really weird thing to say.
— Þórhalla Björgvinsdottír (@ThorhallaBjorg) February 8, 2019
Though some thought it wasn’t all bad.
It got weird after the comma but this was almost good.
— AlwaysAshley (@AshleyFrankly) February 8, 2019
Yet everyone agreed with Trump on one thing: John Dingell was very smart.
He was definitely smart enough to not trust you, lmao.
— Nathan McNees (@NJMcNees) February 8, 2019
Many relied on Dingell’s own words to prove it.
Totally agree, very smart pic.twitter.com/Z5kzojWaC7
— The Dumpster Fire (@TheDFShow) February 8, 2019
His wisdom lives on.
A smart man indeed.https://t.co/EHvDiIJiub
— 222 (@WindNatalie) February 8, 2019
Some wanted Dingell’s words to serve as advice for Individual 1 from the grave.
Words for Trump: "My advice always begins with the truth, which is why would-be despots and demagogues try so hard to discredit it. They hate it like the devil hates holy water." – John Dingell
— Cgodeke (@Cgodeke1) February 8, 2019
After all, Dingell had a lot of advice for Trump.
Dingell left behind some advice for Trump… https://t.co/cdagFaDG3j
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 8, 2019
Others wanted Dingell’s words to serve as advice for all of us.
— Justin Satzman (@jsatz23) February 8, 2019
It’s too bad Dingell never got his Christmas wish.
— Sarah Waites (@Addicted2Poli) February 8, 2019
It’s remarkable that Dingell thought of his nation, even in his final days.
How frightened for all of us he must have been to direct his final words towards you.
“the presidential bully pulpit seems dedicated to sowing division and denigrating, often in the most irrelevant and infantile personal terms, the political opposition”https://t.co/MVb499Y5nF
— cumberickman (@cumberickman) February 8, 2019
Hopefully, if there’s an afterlife, there’s also extra butter.
The feeling was not mutual…. pic.twitter.com/yLtKWg6SuU
— LiA (@LibsInAmerica) February 8, 2019
As always, someone was there to remind Donnie that Obama does everything better.
This is what a president says when a fellow public servant passes away. pic.twitter.com/jViWCJ2tRR
— B (@metsfanBP8818) February 8, 2019
This genius turned Trump’s own words on him …
Yes, he was a ‘smart’ man BUT that doesn’t mean YOU understand politics!
— Laura Ann Leamon (@lablea26) February 8, 2019
… as did this one.
Your political career will be very short in that case
— Jared (@JaredMelrath) February 8, 2019
It was not uncommon for folks to point out that Trump’s timing was a bit off.
It really took you a day?
— Anne Kunkel (@charlieandtabby) February 8, 2019
It was often hypothesized that Trump didn’t know who he was talking about.
You couldn't pick him out in a photograph if we paid you.
— vote blue (@ebonycatt2008) February 8, 2019
Others assumed Trump didn’t write the tribute at all.
Congratulations, unnamed White House staffer, on a decent tribute tweet.
— Tim -Madness is just a state of mind- Bend (@being_tim) February 8, 2019
#NeverForget this one fact:
He hated you, so there's that.
— I'm so over this chit (@mijatoo) February 8, 2019
Seriously! #NeverForget!
He couldn’t stand you
— Jerry Coleman (@PutinsLapDog) February 8, 2019
Ah, this is an all-time favorite.
Very smart indeed https://t.co/UReDgxY56u
— ol' jon boy (@jonozaksut) February 8, 2019
There were at least a few attempts to not be a total grouch about the memorial tweet.
Well, at least you didn't call him Dyin' Johnny Dingle.
Which would not have been out of the realm of possibility
— unclekatahdin❄???? (@kt44dn) February 8, 2019
However, those kid gloves certainly won’t be on for long.
John Dingell hated you but I’ll give a pass on this one because it’s not in good taste. See you next time.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) February 8, 2019
In closing, I leave you with a perfect example of the quality that followers of John Dingell came to expect.
At least he’s both wise and humble. https://t.co/U7lolTNYwT
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) November 22, 2018
Twitter won’t be the same without the gentleman from Michigan, but unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Donald Trump—and Dingell knew it.
Someone grow a pair, get rid of this excrement in the WH called DT before he destroys America..