Yesterday, news broke that Vanessa Trump, longtime wife of President Donald Trump‘s son, Donald Trump Jr., filed for divorce.
Page Six, which had the scoop, said that Vanessa Trump had been increasingly disconcerted with her husband’s extremely online behavior.
An issue, two of the sources say, is that Don Jr. “appears to have changed recently, and friends are concerned about him.” Their concerns were increased by Don Jr.’s tweeting, including when he liked a tweet linking antidepressants to mass murder, and another liking a tweet attacking a teen survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
However, one of Trump’s close friends denied the allegation, saying that the president’s son has always been over-the-top on the internet.
“Don has always had a bold and aggressive nature on social, there’s no change to his stance on Twitter. His behavior hasn’t changed, there’s nothing irrational about him, he’s always been bold, will say what he thinks and fight back, that’s his personality on Twitter.”
That’s absolutely true. The eldest Trump son has been a prolific Twitter user since he joined the site and long ago took the mantle as our country’s fire memer-in-chief. While it’s certainly possible that his online behavior strained their relationship, it’s hard to believe two specific tweets pushed Vanessa Trump over the edge, especially when you consider the history of his output on the platform. Here’s a quick recap for some perspective.
Donald Trump Jr.’s controversial Twitter history
In the run-up to the election, Trump Jr. emerged as an online troll who writhed all day in debunked conspiracies, far-right propaganda, and offensive memes. Here are two of countless examples centered on Hillary Clinton and Benghazi. He also used Twitter to circulate a fake WikiLeaks letter implicating Clinton in an effort to bribe pollsters.
BOMBSHELL: Hacked Hillary Emails Reveal She Knowingly Delayed Benghazi Rescue https://t.co/jDOEwJGnTG via gatewaypundit
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 5, 2016
Big #Benghazi news from @wikileaks Anyone surprised that HRC team admitting it was “almost certainly preventable”? https://t.co/dYh3NlOATs
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 10, 2016
Trump Jr. first made national headlines for a tweet last September when he liked Syrian refugees to poisonous Skittles. Not only is it a crude and insensitive way to address poverty-stricken people fleeing a devasting civil war and strife, the photo, as fate would have it, was taken by a refugee.
Trump Jr. openly embraced an image of “The Deplorables” that prominently featured Pepe the Frog, a meme that had become associated with white supremacy and was labeled a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League.
Trump spurred controversy again with candy on Halloween when he used his daughter Chloe’s to a make a misguided metaphor about socialism. Many were also quick to point out the irony that Halloween is a holiday based on going door-to-door to receive free handouts from strangers, and the cruelty of assuming that people who aren’t able to go trick-or-treating are just lazy.
I’m going to take half of Chloe’s candy tonight & give it to some kid who sat at home. It’s never to early to teach her about socialism. pic.twitter.com/3ie9C0jv2G
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 31, 2017
That’s hardly the only time Trump Jr. used one of his children as a prop. He also used his 2-year-old to illustrate how he thinks people overreact to workplace sexual harassment.
Hypothetical question? Can my 2 year old get in trouble 4 sexual harassment for asking his teacher to come to his place naked after school?
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 7, 2011
There are countless tweets that would make one question Trump Jr.’s moral character and his fitness as a parent. For example, he casually joked about convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky.
For those who didn’t love my War Horse friends w benefits tweet, I was just horsing around… Um but not like Sandusky…
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 15, 2012
And about “suffering” from marriage:
Ha oldie but goodie RT @skydash: @DonaldJTrumpJr 3 rings of marriage: 1-the engagement ring 2- the wedding ring 3- the suffer-ing!!
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 17, 2011
And about pretending to be gay to commit acts of sexual assault:
Can I pretend to be? @clayaiken: Eric Don’t be jealous that gay guys get to stick our hands up women’s shirts like that with no issue!
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 5, 2012
His views toward women are just as problematic. He told U.S. representative (and notable Trump critic) Maxine Waters that she looks like a stripper:
Whats w bedazzled red cowboy hat Maxine Watters is wearing criticizing T party? Easier 2 take u seriously when u dont look like a stripper;)
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 24, 2011
In a since-deleted tweet, he also compared attending his wife’s baby shower to being at a strip club.
At Vanessa’s baby shower. Last time I was in a room with so many women there was a disco ball and a main stage if u know what I mean ;)
When it comes to grounds for divorce, it seems like accusing students at a school shooting of being crisis actors is hardly a low point in Trump Jr.’s Twitter timeline.
