Donald Trump deletes anti-Clinton ‘Star of David’ tweet after criticism

The tweet featured the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee against a backdrop of hundred-dollar bills. On the right, in a red, six-pointed star, were the words, "Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!"

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the media June 25, 2016, on the golf course at his Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen, Scotland. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Carlo Allegri

Donald Trump deleted a tweet blasting Hillary Clinton after social media erupted over the inclusion of a six-point star, which critics said could be seen as an anti-Semitic use of the Star of David.

The tweet featured a faux newsmagazine cover showing a drawing of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee against a backdrop of hundred-dollar bills. On the right, in a red, six-pointed star, were the words, “Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!”

At the bottom was a reference to a Fox News poll that purportedly found 58 percent of respondents believe Clinton is “corrupt.”


The original tweet was posted on @realDonaldTrump — the confirmed account of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee — at 9:37 a.m. Saturday, July 2.

The original tweet was posted on @realDonaldTrump — the confirmed account of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee — at 9:37 a.m. Saturday, July 2.

Social media was quick to respond, with Josh Schwerin, spokesman for the Hillary Clinton campaign, tweeting: “Why is there a Star of David?” Zeke Miller, political reporter for Time, posted simply: “Uh oh… (That star…)” while Vox writer Matthew Iglesias noted “some interesting graphic design choices here.”

Josh Barro, a senior editor at Business Insider, weighed in with this tweet: “Oh, great, A Star of David over money.”

The Verge reports the original tweet was posted on @realDonaldTrump — the confirmed account of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee — at 9:37 a.m. ET, and stayed up for more than two hours before it was deleted. Trump later posted a similar tweet featuring a circle instead of a star.

The Verge said the Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Unlike other items on Trump’s Twitter feed that have raised eyebrows, such as an unflattering photo of Sen. Ted Cruz’s wife, the Clinton item was not a re-tweet but appeared to be created and posted by the Trump team.

(Doug Stanglin writes for USA Today)

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