On June 14, former President Donald Trump celebrated his 75th birthday. His Republican allies leapt to send him happy birthday messages across social media.
Among these was Trump's eldest son, Don Jr.
Trump Jr. issued a straightforward "Happy birthday, President Trump" message, coupled with a picture of Trump embracing an American flag.
Happy Birthday President Trump #HappyBirthdaypic.twitter.com/tcwf9rWc6A— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1623673543
But Don Jr. was given a painful reminder.
After former President Trump's lies about the validity of the 2020 election prompted a mob of pro-Trump extremists to storm the United States Capitol, Trump was unrepentant, and continued to post his election conspiracy theories.
Within days after the deadly failed insurrection, Trump was permanently booted from Twitter for his potential to incite violence.
The former President frequently used the social media outlet to broadcast petty insults and deranged fantasies to his 80+ million followers. The near-incoherent diatribes became a defining aspect of Trump's campaigns and presidency.
In addition to the permanent ban from Twitter, Trump also faces an indefinite suspension from Facebook, which will last until at least 2023.
People didn't hesitate to remind Don Jr. that his father wouldn't be able to see the birthday message.
You know he can\u2019t see this righthttps://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— The Daily Show (@The Daily Show) 1623679013
Oh, this is awkward\u2026.who wants to tell him that his dad can\u2019t actually see this.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— Meredith Lee (@Meredith Lee) 1623709906
Why not put this on a platform you can actually tag him on? Oh wait...https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— Pfizer Papi\ud83e\udd18 \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udfc6 (@Pfizer Papi\ud83e\udd18 \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udfc6) 1623686775
Only if he could see thishttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— Malachi Curtis (@Malachi Curtis) 1623686779
you\u2019re posting this as if he can see thishttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— Luca! (@Luca!) 1623695222
He\u2019s not gonna see this, champhttps://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— What are you talking about? Im not a leafs fan (@What are you talking about? Im not a leafs fan) 1623682920
Some also wondered why Trump Jr. didn't refer to him as "dad."
It's very telling that he doesn't call him "dad".https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— Eric Heinrichs (@Eric Heinrichs) 1623678413
it\u2019ll always be weird to me that he calls his own father by their last name and not \u201cdad\u201dhttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— will (@will) 1623687880
Not \u201cDad\u201d?https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1404414747110428679\u00a0\u2026— Scotty Kauffman (@Scotty Kauffman) 1623684127
Trump celebrated his birthday with conservative boxer Herschel Walker and Republican lawmakers like Congresswomen Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Debbie Lesko of Arizona.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram