In the latest illustration that Trump Derangement Syndrome has broken legacy media, USA Today, otherwise known as Free Pictures Of The News And Articles Written In Crayon, issued a “fact-check” asserting the Trump campaign’s use of an eagle on memorabilia features imagery of Nazi Germany.
The claim: Trump campaign shirts feature imperial eagle, a Nazi symbol
Our ruling: True https://t.co/3eCiYdgQvK
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 12, 2020
“President Donald Trump’s campaign website recently unveiled a T-shirt that has come under fire because of design similarities between its logo and a Nazi symbol,” said the “fact check,” going on to explain the comparisons were first made by a Jewish progressive group and the Lincoln Project, an organization of NeverTrump Republicans promoting a radical Democratic presidential nominee.
“The claims that a Trump campaign T-shirt has come under criticism for using a symbol similar to a Nazi eagle is TRUE,” the paper concluded, even after acknowledging the eagle’s use as a longtime emblem of American patriotism embedded in governmental seals for more than 200 years, long pre-dating its use by the Nazis.
The hysterical, ahistorical conclusion drew immediate mockery on Twitter, with some poking fun at its previous illustration of “chainsaw bayonets” as a possible gun modification.
USA Today is at it again… https://t.co/opR56K50mg pic.twitter.com/KBCKkoe8HN
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) July 12, 2020
Others highlighted the eagle featuring a prominent presence in Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s wardrobe, which even drew the adoration of the paper when she wore if during the Trump impeachment proceedings.
Wow I can’t wait for @USATODAY to reach out to @SpeakerPelosi about this Nazi symbol that she wears every day.
This is truly a threat to our Democracy. https://t.co/Dj0CymDx3k pic.twitter.com/KRWi7RrejB
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) July 12, 2020
Noticing a **minor** difference in the way @USATODAY portrays the symbolism of bald eagles here… pic.twitter.com/I4rbu31gMW
— Zach Parkinson (@AZachParkinson) July 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/mad_liberals/status/1282317212729180160?s=20
https://twitter.com/burner7711/status/1282347467376226304?s=20
https://twitter.com/TheJeffBradley/status/1282339994351345665?s=20
Is that … an eagle with a circular seal over it?https://t.co/8zEsr9OKve https://t.co/u2zZv4YQ4G pic.twitter.com/MzccyIA9ix
— Zach Parkinson (@AZachParkinson) July 13, 2020
Hey, @USATODAY, now do the symbolism of the imagery in the pin worn by these four women, all proud Democrats: https://t.co/Kib2Kh902N pic.twitter.com/yRHZaUMllr
— Nan Hayworth, M.D. (@NanHayworth) July 12, 2020
Trump campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh slammed USA Today’s blind rating as “moronic.”
“In Democrats’ America, Mount Rushmore glorifies white supremacy and the bald eagle with an American flag is a Nazi symbol. They have lost their minds,” Murtaugh wrote on Twitter.”
This is moronic.
In Democrats’ America, Mount Rushmore glorifies white supremacy and the bald eagle with an American flag is a Nazi symbol.
They have lost their minds.
Better tell Nancy Pelosi too. https://t.co/vtlLjBUYwZ pic.twitter.com/tV9JEE0pcf
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) July 12, 2020
The backlash prompted the paper to release a “clarification” on Twitter noting “the eagle is a longtime US symbol, too.”
Clarification: The claim that Trump 2020 has put out a T-shirt with a symbol similar to a Nazi eagle and is being criticized for it is true. Worth noting, the eagle is a longtime US symbol, too.
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 12, 2020
In fact, while used in the United States as the national bird since 1782, the eagle symbol’s use as an emblem of patriotic unity goes back even further, to at least the ancient Romans.
