The Obama administration’s attempt to dramatically make a point about gun violence at Tuesday’s State of the Union address drew harsh criticism across social media.
Along with the guests invited to sit with the First Lady in her viewing box to watch the president’s final State of the Union will be an empty chair to honor victims of gun violence. The White House released the guest list, which can be viewed at WhiteHouse.gov, explaining that those chosen “exemplify the themes and ideals that the President lays out in his address.”
“We leave one seat empty,” the page reads, “in the First Lady’s State of the Union Guest Box for the victims of gun violence who no longer have a voice – because they need the rest of us to speak for them. To tell their stories. To honor their memory. To support the Americans whose lives have been forever changed by the terrible ripple effect of gun violence – survivors who’ve had to learn to live with a disability, or without the love of their life. To remind every single one of our representatives that it’s their responsibility to do something about this.”
Social media’s response was swift.
Instead of the empty chair at the #SOTU tomorrow representing victims of gun violence, it should represent Obama’s nonexistent leadership.
— Brooks (@BrooksErrDay584) January 11, 2016
The ’empty chair’ during #SOTU speech is symbolic of #POTUS legacy..it’s been nonexistent. https://t.co/ddbCuHz382
— Stealth_Patriot (@Stealth_Patriot) January 11, 2016
@benshapiro “Empty chair” in the audience “empty suit” at the podium.
— Mike Darancette (@Mhdaran) January 12, 2016
Some had other suggested “guests” and ideas on what the vacant chair should symbolize.
@benshapiro Why not an empty chair for “climate change”??
— Mike Rosen (@MikeRosen7) January 10, 2016
Hey 0bama! How about an empty chair for Ambassador Chris Stephens at your “I, I, Me, I, ME, I, I,” speech?
— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) January 8, 2016
@benshapiro There should be two more chairs. One for trampled Rights by Obama & the other for the Constitution he abhors & steps on
— Steve Kitcoff (@SoloVoc) January 10, 2016
The cop who was shot in Philly should be sitting in the “empty chair” at the #SOTU to show how you defend yourself
— Reaganette (@Ezinger44) January 9, 2016
@benshapiro clock boy
— Jill Loris (@LorisJill) January 11, 2016
Even Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz replied with his thoughts on the empty chair.
If I’m elected POTUS, there’ll be an empty seat for the over 50 million unborn children killed since Roe #Stand4Life https://t.co/BgBy8yYKYd
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 8, 2016
And National Review’s Kevin Williamson proposed an idea that really took off with Twitter users.
I do wish @SpeakerRyan would disinvite @POTUS. He holds Congress in contempt; let him give SOTU from Oval Office. Or Denny’s for all I care.
— Kevin D. Williamson (@KevinNR) January 10, 2016
@KevinNR @SpeakerRyan @POTUS a golf course would be a more suitable location!
— Duxcomedy (@duxcomedy) January 10, 2016
@KevinNR @benshapiro @SpeakerRyan What an excellent idea! If POTUS won’t engage Congress, why should he enjoy podium in Capitol Bldg?
— John S Olson (@John_S_Olson) January 10, 2016
Now this is an idea that should go viral. https://t.co/5pkCZNM39F
— David Limbaugh (@DavidLimbaugh) January 10, 2016
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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