President Donald Trump on Sunday sparked an avalanche of mockery after saying on Twitter he would not be throwing out the first pitch at a New York Yankees game next month after all.
“Because of my strong focus on the China Virus, including scheduled meetings on Vaccines, our economy and much else, I won’t be able to be in New York to throw out the opening pitch for the @Yankees on August 15th,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “We will make it later in the season!”
Trump announced on Thursday that he would throw out the first pitch in the Aug. 15 game against the Boston Red Sox, hours before Anthony Fauci, one of the administration’s most recognizable figures in its coronavirus response, threw the ceremonial first pitch to mark Opening Day for the Washington Nationals.
“The key is to get back to normal,” the president said then. “Nobody wants to see this. I think it is really good that baseball is opening. It looks like football is opening. It looks like sports are opening. It’s a tremendous thing psychologically for our country.”
Trump then staged a photo op with former Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, reporters and a group of Little Leaguers on the White House South Lawn.
But Trump changed his mind on Sunday, saying that his busy schedule won’t allow him to throw the first pitch. Twitter users weren’t buying it:
Because of my strong focus on the China Virus, including scheduled meetings on Vaccines, our economy and much else, I won’t be able to be in New York to throw out the opening pitch for the @Yankees on August 15th. We will make it later in the season!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2020
p.s. you were just out golfing with Brett Farve on taxpayer dimes and you don't have time? bullshit.
— Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) July 26, 2020
Maybe he’s afraid he’ll be arrested in NY.
— Mimi Weaver (@GraceMoves) July 26, 2020
You've been golfing all weekend but whatever.
— Andrea R MD (@AndreaR9Md) July 26, 2020
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You're a complete idiot.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) July 26, 2020
Lol pic.twitter.com/OM9oCXSE9S
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 26, 2020
Scared to throw a pitch worse than Fauci huh? I understand…
— Al (@ABrick21) July 26, 2020
How were your rounds of golf this and every weekend?
— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) July 26, 2020
Never seen someone spend so much time desperately trying to convince everyone how hard he’s working. Do you have any idea how pathetically transparent you are? #Trump #Yankeea.
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) July 26, 2020
Might want to cut back on the golfing to make time for more important things…like actually leading the country? This isn’t a game show, you know.
— KHoyt (@KimberlyHoyt13) July 26, 2020
Weak, incredibly weak, makes me think of the time you said :
'I take no responsibility'
🤷♂️
— Nuclear Football 🇪🇺🇦🇹 🌏 (@EuphoricEuler) July 26, 2020
Or is he afraid his flabby arm won’t be able to get the ball to home plate??
— J.E. Chester (@jechester431) July 26, 2020
Ha! Hahhhahhhahahabhh! pic.twitter.com/I9wZHkbUA5
— thedevilisapunk #Bluewave2020 (@thedevilisapunk) July 26, 2020
Terrified. Man. Baseball. Camera. TV. pic.twitter.com/MKAxfx38Ox
— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) July 26, 2020
Coward!
— Laurel Pollentier (@LaurelPollenti1) July 26, 2020
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