Comedian Patton Oswalt took exception to President Donald Trump’s statement that the U.S. will soon designate Antifa as a t*rrorist organization, idiotically (but not uncommonly) comparing the anarchist group to the brave soldiers who fought the Nazis in World War II.
While this is not the first time President Trump has suggested ratcheting up the federal response to Antifa’s chaotic and violent plots, their role in worsening the George Floyd riots could signify a real change in direction from the administration. Over the weekend, as major American cities were engulfed in fire and destruction, conservative thinkers urged Trump to take action against the organization.
“The template for @realDonaldTrump’s federal response: Appear ready to assist, do not ‘buy’ the issue by inserting feds uninvited, continue pointing out Dem pols’ failures, designate Antifa a t*rrorist org, prosecute Antifa agitators on fed charges (State Dems won’t do it),” suggested writer Kurt Schlichter.
Conservative pundit and radio host Dan Bongino tweeted scorn for the group: “ANTIFA, the anti-free speech group, is largely composed of low testosterone males who have yet to drop their reproductive organs. These chumps don’t have a shred of dignity or courage & they attack in packs because they’re terrified of acting alone. I hear they cry when jailed.”
Only hours later, President Trump tweeted: “The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization.”
This tweet inspired a wave of very stupid replies, but the one from Oswalt was easily the dumbest.
“I’m 100% with you Donald!” Oswalt tweeted alongside a photo of the Allies storming the beach at Normandy on D-Day. “Antifa has been horrible for so long. Here’s some anti-fascists ruining a perfectly good beach day in France! Wish you could have been there to stop them!”
I’m 100% with you Donald! Antifa has been horrible for so long. Here’s some anti-fascists ruining a perfectly good beach day in France! Wish you could have been there to stop them! https://t.co/1eOBVIdNYm pic.twitter.com/caPzj7ojaB
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 31, 2020
You know, we described this tweet as stupid, but we actually take that back: Patton is many things, but stupid is not one of them. This is willful ignorance, at best. At worst, this is an active attempt to deceive his fans and other Twitter yahoos.
This is an effort to rewrite recent history and pretend that Antifa is really just a loose collection of reasonable people who despise fascism. They don’t light fires at universities and throw bottles at police. They don’t assault innocent journalists. They don’t threaten to riot every time a right-of-center speaker holds an event. No, no. These are great people. Literally today’s answer to The Greatest Generation!
Come on. Is anyone really buying this slop?
