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The Democratic National Committee came under fire from many online Tuesday after sending out a release on its press list that called out President Donald Trump's "empty promises on border wall."
"Trump has failed to deliver on his signature promise to build a border wall and have Mexico pay for it," the DNC release read. "Trump even admitted in a private conversation with Mexico that his border wall promise was 'the least important thing.'"
The email, which contained a number of links to stories that backed up the DNC's assessment, was met with near-instant ridicule from those on the left.
"If your strategy requires you to twist yourself into this big of a pretzel, it might be time for a better strategy," tweeted Mike Casca, communications director for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Xochitl Hinojosa, communications director for the DNC, tweeted that the organization has on many occassions made clear that it does not support Trump's building of a border wall, calling it "dangerous" and "divisive." She tweeted that the email's purpose was to provide reporters with "research on Trump's lies" and noted that DNC chair Tom Perez earlier this month said a massive border wall along the southern border of the US is "ludicrous" and a waste of tax dollars.
Hinojosa also mentioned the DNC's press conference in Arizona on Monday, during which Democratic leaders including Perez criticized Trump's immigration policies. That press conference preempted Trump's Tuesday night rally in Phoenix.
Still, the release was swiftly chastised on the left and mocked on the right:
Hey @DNC -- I know what you're trying to do here, but KNOCK IT OFF. This is tone deaf and foolish. https://t.co/YcWoH0Iaim
- Gwendolyn Ann Smith (@gwenners) August 22, 2017
Does this mean @TheDemocrats' next presidential candidate will absolutely guarantee they will #BuildTheWall? https://t.co/Z39723UFXD
- Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 22, 2017
DNC: "And when is he going to shoot someone on 5th Avenue?" https://t.co/3dDkrAEAWe
- Adam β‘οΈ Sneed (@atsneed) August 22, 2017
Since Democrats aren't giving them any money, I guess they decided to try something different. https://t.co/CgWeAIaJK1
- Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) August 22, 2017
Real Talk: That's the smartest thing the Democrats have done since January. Much more productive than screaming "RUSSIA!!" https://t.co/F8Q3SrIVQ6
- Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) August 22, 2017
what on earth is this messaging https://t.co/wZ5fm4pEoO
- Maya Kosoff (@mekosoff) August 22, 2017
Sooooo DNC goes after DJT for something dems don't want instead of holding him accountable for things he's actually doing NOW ππππ https://t.co/4DuudaE6al
- Elizabeth Kiefer (@lizabeth_kiefer) August 22, 2017
folks, if you're frustrated by the lack of follow-through on racism, vote Democr--wait, that's not--lemme start over https://t.co/Dkuk97wicz
- Simon Maloy (@SimonMaloy) August 22, 2017
if your strategy requires you to twist yourself into this big of a pretzel, it might be time for a better strategy. https://t.co/m3iMi5TbfD
- mike casca (@cascamike) August 22, 2017
Can someone explain the strategy behind this? https://t.co/qquV7W4s9Z
- Dara Lind (@DLind) August 22, 2017
sdifseihrerohiewtihdxvncfdhfyklnwthw0r0hwrsfidigdrngjfnhtfjynditst90uesgxifjcfnbghnsg'nxglnkfcgnfdhndrtyjsijfisfmlxdg;krstoirs[jfkglfndryrjt https://t.co/A7gLOiwSjl
- Chai Goth (@Abid_ism) August 22, 2017
"Trump is incompetent at being a full-blown fascist" is not a morally compelling argument imo https://t.co/ZAKrr1GDsD
- Adam H. Johnson (@adamjohnsonNYC) August 22, 2017