A mural honoring George Floyd in Toledo, Ohio collapsed on Tuesday. Witnesses say it was damaged by a lightning strike, though a building inspector says it was natural deterioration.
While a little disappointing, it seems like a fairly normal thing to happen. That is unless you're Donald Trump Jr.
Trump made a ridiculous claim that the destruction of the mural is a sign from a higher power.
It\u2019s almost like a higher power is telling us something. \n\nWhen was the last time you heard of a brick building being destroyed by lightning? I am a builder and I\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve ever heard of it.https://twitter.com/13abc/status/1415082119831900163\u00a0\u2026— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1626266946
The mural's destruction has brought out a vindictive contingent of the right, echoing Trump's claim that this was caused by a higher power. They even got the phrase "Even God" to trend on Twitter, implying that 'even God' is sick of hearing about George Floyd.
The only thing more ridiculous than that is Trump Jr.'s claim that he's a "builder".
You\u2019re a what?https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1415292268274192385\u00a0\u2026— St Thomas Awareness\u2122\ufe0f (@St Thomas Awareness\u2122\ufe0f) 1626358286
Lol, every power is higher than you Jr \n\nAnd builder???!! Really Jr, are you sure??\n\nOh, and yes i have seen plenty of brick built buildings damaged by lightening to the point of collapse.\n\nBut then I am a builder (bricklayer by trade, 38 years experience). Whats yours btw?— Will Lewens (@Will Lewens) 1626268731
Oh ok Bob The Builder.\n\nThe only thing you know how to build is a stack of cocaine.\n\nClassless punk.— YS (@YS) 1626274720
\u201cI\u2019m a builder\u201d says the billionaires son lmfaohttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1415292268274192385\u00a0\u2026— Cornelius (@Cornelius) 1626316512
Stranger still are the comments, including Jr.'s, that make a big deal over the brick being destroyed by lightning.
Evidently, for such a renowned "builder," Trump sure doesn't know what a lightning rod is for.
Facts are pesky\u2026— Camaville Adkins\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Camaville Adkins\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1626281389
Little Donnie junior, Lightening will strike the highest point, electricity wants to take the shortest, least resistant path possible. Brick when wet from rain is not insulated against electricity. Wood doesn't conduct electricity either yet trees get struck all the time Dumbasshttps://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1415292268274192385\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\ude37J.S. Bekkr \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udde1\ufe0f (@\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\ude37J.S. Bekkr \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udde1\ufe0f) 1626325394
Buildings get struck by lightning all the time, Mr, \u201cbuilder\u201d crackhead. \nStupid people get struck a lot too. I\u2019d duck if I were you.— Matt Gaetz\u2019 Liver \ud83c\udf78 (@Matt Gaetz\u2019 Liver \ud83c\udf78) 1626267204
I guess, being an indoor man like daddy, you\u2019ve never heard the acoustic shocks from lightning strikes. We call them \u201cthunder\u201d.\nAt the point of strike, they can damage/destroy brick & even crack foundations.\n\nhttps://www.jdsbuilds.com/what-happens-when-lightning-strikes-your-house/\u00a0\u2026\n\nAs to \u201cintervention\u201d by some power\u2026— Eric Patty (@Eric Patty) 1626283061
One might think that Trump's comments are mostly racist and foolish.
When you\u2019re too dumb to know how racist you arehttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1415292268274192385\u00a0\u2026— Jerome Butcher (@Jerome Butcher) 1626361848
That higher power is telling us that you are an idiot.\nIf you bothered to study a bit of history, then you would know that brick church steeples were, and still are, struck by lightning all the time. \nYou are truly a coked out dumbass, aren't you?!!?— Chuck Gallagher (@Chuck Gallagher) 1626321319
Misspelling lightning three times in one tweet...such an overachiever.— BJ (@BJ) 1626292598
The owner of the building where the art tribute was installed is working to clean up the bricks and tear down the wall. The building underneath is still structurally sound.
The City of Toledo is making plans to commission a new mural or help the artist find a new location for the piece.
