In the wake of Tuesday's horrific attacks on the European capital of Brussels, President Obama faced fierce criticism on Twitter for his interview with ESPN while front row at the baseball game between the Cuban National team and Tampa Bay Rays.
The president, who was in Havana on a historic trip to improve relations between the two countries, defended attending the game when questioned by ESPN’s Karl Ravech.
“I had a chance to talk to the Belgium prime minister early this morning right after the explosions had happened, and this is just one more example of why the entire world has to unite against these terrorists,” Obama explained mid-game. “It’s always a challenge when you have a terrorist attack anywhere in the world, particularly in this age of 24-7 news coverage. You want to be respectful and understand the gravity of the situation. But the whole premise of terrorism is to try to disrupt people’s ordinary lives.”
The president looked casual in a white polo top and black sunglasses, offending some who took to Twitter to condemn the interview and brand him disrespectful.
Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" tweeted a photo of the ESPN interview with the hashtag "Brussels Attacks."
Others followed:
#BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/otEZLGtCfS
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) March 23, 2016
As Brussels wipes up blood & body parts Obama gives an ESPN interview while sitting next to a Communist Dictator, watching a baseball game.
— Steve Simon (@simonithink) March 23, 2016
If you can't do the wave sitting next to a communist dictator, the terrorists win. #ObamaCubaVisit https://t.co/LMLKhruCRK
— Bruce Wilder (@brucewildertx) March 23, 2016
Nothing says presidential gravity, leadership, resolve against terror like Take Me Out to the Ball Game in Espanol https://t.co/ALy4AauwHd
— Steven C. Ger (@Sojosteven) March 23, 2016
He really seems broken up about it. https://t.co/iddE0ljlL3 #obama #CubaVisit https://t.co/ndBAjwThH0
— The Weekly Standard (@weeklystandard) March 22, 2016
Others say Obama was very concerned with #Brussels. He had is smartphone opened to ESPN to see if there were any changes. #tcot #ccot
— Anna Teresa Arnold (@HomerWhite) March 22, 2016
ESPN interviews Obama about the Brussels attacks at a baseball game. Mind numbing stupidity.
— Jeanne Boutilier (@mtnest11) March 22, 2016
Pres Obama speaks about Brussels with an ESPN tagged mike in his face? How humiliating. Just keep doing the wave, jerk. #AlwaysTrump
— Jada Williams (@jkvegas777) March 22, 2016
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