President-elect Donald Trump and Mike Pence didn’t hold back their feelings following the death of former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro. Trump initially tweeted, “Fidel Castro is dead!” as an initial statement.
Trump would later add more by saying Castro was, “A brutal dictator who oppressed his people for six decades.” It was a stark contrast from President Barack Obama who said of Castro, “History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him.”
Trump’s stance was odd considering that he once did business in Cuba and violated America’s embargo during Castro’s presidency. According to Newsweek, Trump’s company spent $68,000 in Cuba in 1998 when it was illegal for Americans to spend any money in the country without government approval. Although documents proved otherwise, Trump told his supporters that he would never spend money in Cuba until Castro was removed from power. It’s another instance where Trump’s words have been inconsistent with his actions.
Pence echoed Trump’s sentiments by tweeting, “The tyrant Castro is dead.”
Trump and Pence have both faced backlash for their words on Castro.
Undiplomatic, irresponsible reaction from UNFIT Donald Trump re: Fidel Castro… #25thAmendment pic.twitter.com/ODZtIt8yLO
— ‘Violet Biggs’ (@CindyInChicago) November 26, 2016
The difference in reaction to Castro: Obama “our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people” Trump “Fidel Castro is dead!” #Castro
— Chinmay Jaju (@chinmay846) November 26, 2016
@realDonaldTrump wow. What a diplomatic and presidential way to announce this. #trump #notmyprsident #FidelCastro
— Lisa Trick (@lisas_laughter) November 26, 2016
Fidel Castro died & the biggest news story is what Donald Trump tweeted about it.
— Jeremy Jahns (@JeremyJahns) November 26, 2016
wish Trump supporters hated Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin as much as they hate Fidel Castro :/
— Mathias Ference (@husky_sandals) November 26, 2016
