Twitter ridicules Jeb Bush’s gun tweet

While on the campaign trail, the GOP candidate’s team shared an image of a firearm along with a simple word: ‘America.’ The backlash was swift.

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On Tuesday, the GOP candidate made a campaign stop at FN America’s firearm-manufacturing plant in South Carolina. He received a .45-caliber handgun engraved with his name as a gift, which he tweeted along with a single word: “America.”

America. pic.twitter.com/TeduJkwQF3

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 16, 2016

The tweet went viral as Bush’s name trended on Twitter and started appearing in headlines. Though the candidate captured attention, the move ultimately backfired as negative sentiments rolled in.

Many tweeted replies similar to government whistleblower Edward Snowden’s:

Delete your account. https://t.co/UT19AT3Qyg

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) February 16, 2016

Other users responded with ridicule and snark, parodying Bush’s tweet or using Photoshop to mock him:

.@JebBush Tatooine. pic.twitter.com/xnQDE7bVGh

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