Critics were stunned on Wednesday by an over-the-top new claim by Fox News contributor Kellyanne Conway about President Donald Trump’s speech on the National Mall.
“What an uplifting, optimistic, patriotic, I would say inclusive, opening for America’s 250th birthday, which is gonna go on for weeks and months now,” Conway gushed. “I think he is also extending an olive branch for those that may not have voted for him but are Americans and he wants everybody to celebrate this incredible moment.”
Conway’s Praise Contradicted by Speech Content
But the speech wasn’t all that inclusive — and it did not feature any obvious moments that could be considered an olive branch. The divisive rhetoric began before Trump even took the stage, when Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attacked the musicians who canceled on the event as “libtards.” Trump’s own speech more closely resembled the types of remarks he delivers at his rallies than a unifying and “inclusive” message.
Within the first three minutes, the president attacked predecessor Joe Biden without using his name. “A short time ago we were a dead country. We were dead,” he declared. “Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected by everybody. Nobody’s laughing at us anymore. Two years ago, they were laughing.”
Trump’s Attacks on Biden and DEI
He also called the Biden administration “a total disaster” and “four years of incompetence.” Trump railed against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and transgender athletes, and claimed his botched Reflecting Pool makeover was “vandalized by thugs.”
Conway ran Trump’s 2016 campaign and served in his White House during his first administration, where she famously coined phrases such as “alternative facts.” Given the contents of Trump’s speech on Wednesday, critics on X wondered if she was broadcasting from an alternate reality.
Social Media Backlash
Users on X reacted with disbelief. One user wrote, “Delusional. In what world do these people live in.” Another posted, “Highlights of Trump’s ‘inclusive’ speech extending an olive branch to those who did not vote for him,” accompanied by a screenshot of Trump’s attacks. Tom Nichols commented, “TDS in practice tRump devotion syndrome.” Others noted, “Delusional, but she knows better and knows she gets paid for these delusional takes.”
A user questioned, “He is extending an olive branch for those that may not have voted for him but are Americans and he wants everybody to celebrate this incredible moment? The best olive branch that Trump could extend is by resigning from the presidency.” Another said, “Donald Trump has made secret of the fact he despises 1/2 of America.” Regarding Duffy’s comment, one critic wrote, “Duffy’s use of the word ‘libtard’ is real inviting. Stop lying.”
