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Gearing up for his upcoming campaign rally in Nevada, President Donald Trump began tweeting pictures of flags and signs bearing his name thanking his would be supporters.
One tweet in particular caused waves and some copyright issues as the photographer's name was no where to be seen. The tweet was shared over 25,000 on Twitters and contained an uncredited 2016 photo taken by ProPublica journalist Alec MacGillis.
ProPublica was quick to respond to the President's tweet with both thanks and some crediting advice.
Mr. President, thanks for taking advantage of @ProPublica's Creative Commons policy, which lets anyone republish our content for free. However, you should note this photo is not new, but from 2016 and, per our policy, you should've credited @AlecMacGillis as photographer. https://t.co/Pw2RzN6LGXpic.twitter.com/DCyXAnuaeS
— ProPublica (@propublica) September 13, 2020
Photographer Alec MacGillis had called out the deceptive use of their old photo by Trump asking where the credit was and saying in a tweet:
"Here it is, March 2016."
"You're living in the past, @realDonaldTrump."
Here it is, March 2016. You're living in the past, @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/rTkMyv4L0K
— Alec MacGillis (@AlecMacGillis) September 13, 2020
Twitter users were not surprised at Trump's misleading choice.
Of course Trump stole without permission in order to spread a deceit.
— Formerly MTfromCC (@TMtfromcc) September 13, 2020
Not Keeping America Great. Dude, it's not 2016! cc @realDonaldTrump
— ⓡⓐ🍁 (@easlreh) September 13, 2020
Trump tries to take credit for other people's work all the time. Look at how he's tried to take credit for diplomacy he had nothing to do with lately.
— W Paul Jones (@WPaulJones2) September 13, 2020
I still wouldn't like Trump if he was a Democrat. Does anybody else feel the same way?
— Grande Capo (@VoLinxx) September 13, 2020
Truly no redeeming qualities to this Presidency. Just lies, dysfunction, racism, and chaos. This country can do and has done so much better.
— 🇳🇬Temisan Adoki🇻🇮 (@iamtemisanadoki) September 13, 2020
You shouldn't be surprised...this is what trump does. He steals from others and NEVER PAYS NOR GIVE CREDIT! He is a coniving thief!
— SWS (@Spencer_Shull) September 13, 2020
Now in 2020 amid a global pandemic, the 2016 description of the signage science by MacGillis sadly, rings truer today.
MacGillis had said:
"I was looking for a professional sign-maker who had turned his West Carrollton ranch house into a distribution point for Trump yard signs, in high demand just days prior to the Ohio Republican primary,"
Writing further:
"Instead of piling the signs in the driveway, he had arrayed them in his yard along the road. There they were, dozens and dozens of them, lined up in rows like the uniform gravestones in a military cemetery."
Many Twitter user's echoed MacGillis' description remembering the near 200,000 American lives lost due to the pandemic and how the current administration has handled it.
Look, cardboard headstones with the perpetrator's names disclosed.
— Poetess O'Prunty (@OPruntyPoetess) September 13, 2020
First thing I thought was Covid deaths and he'd need thousands more. Sadly, he has caused this to be far worse than it should have been given our nation's advancements; prior to Trump's dismantling of them bolt by bolt, nut by nut & misleading those who place trust in him.
— 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪𝔾𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕖𝕕 (@ghouled_merry) September 13, 2020
Looks like a little over 200 signs. If only someone digitally replaced the signs with "1k deaths" might be accurate.
— Josh Stephenson (@JoshCStephenso) September 13, 2020
It looks like a Covid graveyard in 2020.
— Maureen (@mmaureen7) September 14, 2020
Looks like a cemetery for some of the covid-19 victims on his watch.
— Dave 🇪🇺 Brockman 😷 WEAR A MASK! 😷 (@BigBadDaveB) September 13, 2020
With the strict rules and emphasis put on proper citation in an academic setting it was surprising that a Wharton Business School graduate and falsely self-described top student would not understand the basics of proper attribution.
Some twitter users encouraged legal action for the infringement.
POTUS is so dishonest
— Koula (@Lovetheutes) September 14, 2020
I hope you have contacted a lawyer
— Aunt Tifa (@AuntTifa3) September 14, 2020
The campaign & current occupant of the White House has no hesitation in stealing others' property. How many times have they played songs against the artists' wishes, or without compensating them? Theft is not a problem for people with no morals. #VoteLikeYourLifeDependsOnIt
— Kathy 🇨🇦🏳️🌈🎀🌊 (@scarletkate) September 13, 2020
Sue him!
— kaTzi 🏳️🌈🦄 (@katZicael) September 13, 2020
Sue for copyright infringement
— 🆘Daniel Plainview🆘 (@Mr_D_Plainview) September 13, 2020
May everyone stay safe, well, and remember the importance of giving others proper credit for their work.
Hopefully Tump will also take full credit for his 4 years in office, including his resistant response in prioritizing American health during this 2020 crisis.