Donald Trump Jr tells people to vote on wrong day for Virginia governor election
'He should have waited until he’d had his morning cup of hair gel,' says Stephen Colbert
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump Jr may have impeded the proper electoral process by telling people to vote in the Virginia elections on the wrong day.
The president’s eldest son encouraged his 2.2 million Twitter followers to go out and vote on Wednesday despite the fact the greatly anticipated race took place on Tuesday.
Trump Jr, an executive of the Trump Organisation, told citizens to cast their ballots on the incorrect day in two separate tweets.
“Let’s take Ed Gillespie across the finish line tomorrow! Virginia: get out and vote for Ed and the entire GOP ticket #VAGov #VA,” he said on Tuesday morning.
CNN host Jake Tapper rapidly pointed out President Trump had the wrong day but the younger Trump proceeded to make the same blunder just a few hours later regardless.
“Virginia, the future of the Commonwealth is at stake tomorrow. Find your polling place at vote.gop to vote Ed for #VAGov,” he said a few hours later in a since deleted tweet.
Critics have mocked Trump Jr for the gaffe and claimed the mistake was indicative of a lack of intelligence.
“Dude…,” chimed in Seth Rogen.
“'Whoa, I beat the rush. Sweet!' thinks Trump Jnr, on his way to vote Wednesday morning,” quipped another.
Late Show host Stephen Colbert joked about the incident in his opening monologue, saying: “Donald Jr woke up this morning to urge people to get the vote out but maybe he should have waited until he’d had his morning cup of hair gel.”
“The election was today, and not tomorrow, #whoopsadaisy, #turnsoutEricisthesmartone,” he added.
The blunder comes after Trump Jr was mocked for saying he would teach his daughter Chloe about socialism by taking away some of her Halloween sweets. The tweet had amassed over 50,000 replies within hours, with many pointing out that he was not describing socialism but was referring to sharing - an activity the majority of children are taught to do.
But while onlookers relished in poking fun at the gaffe, it is worth noting that some of his 2.2 million followers eschew the mainstream media for their news and could have potentially taken him at his word and not voted in the election.
Like his father, Trump Jr was supporting Republican candidate Ed Gillespie.
“Ralph Northam will allow crime to be rampant in Virginia. He’s weak on crime, weak on our GREAT VETS, Anti-Second Amendment and has been horrible on Virginia economy. Vote Ed Gillespie today!” President Trump tweeted on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, it was Democrat Ralph Northam who defeated Mr Gillespie to become Virginia’s next governor in a sweeping victory.
Former President Barack Obama clinched Virginia in 2008 - the first time a Democrat had won the state in decades - but it has remained in the Democratic column in each election since.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments