Social media went into a frenzy after “RIP Don” was seen trending on X (formerly Twitter) as users rushed online to figure out if the “Don” in question was Donald Trump.
“RIP Don” was trending Thursday afternoon after the phrase was included in over 8,000 posts. Several accounts posted messages suggesting they were disappointed to find out that the trending topic was not about the former president, while his supporters harshly criticized those who wished it was about Trump.
“When RIP Don trending and it’s not what you thought,” one user wrote. Another said, “You absolutely cannot trend RIP Don and not expect me to be disappointed when it’s not what I thought. It’s mean to get everyone’s hopes up.”
The mixup seemed to stem from the recent passing of drag racing star Don Schumacher, who died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. Schumacher, 79, was a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) team owner and Funny Car pioneer.
X users who believed the trending topic was about Trump were blasted by conservative users who called those who were celebrating the phrase “vile” and suggested that the remarks were fueled by Trump’s lead in the polls for the 2024 presidential race.
“People celebrating ‘RIP Don’ & disappointed the wrong ‘Don’ is dead are vile humans,” one Trump supporter wrote. “Who wishes death on people? Low rent, leftist, #democrats. Not an ounce of humanity left in this country. Sorry to disappoint but Donald Trump is alive & well.”
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Another user said the Trump-related responses came from “unhinged psychopaths” who “hate America…hate you and even hate themselves!”
And another referred to “all the lefties in there wishing Trump was dead,” noting he was “dominating the 2024 polls. “Seethe more,” the user said.
The tweets expressing disappointment that “RIP Don” was not about Trump even earned criticism from some on the left. Political commentator Brian Krassenstein, who gained fame for trolling Trump during his presidency, called it “concerning” and disgusting” that people were claiming to be excited about the former president’s death.
“As much as I think he was a poor President and think that he divided us immensely, I would never hope for or wish for him to lose his life. If you do then something is very wrong with you as a person,” Krassenstein tweeted.
“You can’t pretend to be for unifying the country, helping people, and wanting what’s best for America and then make posts like this, hoping for the man to lose his life,” he said.
Another X user told people to “stop letting [Trump] live rent free in y’all’s heads and respect a legend. RIP Don Schumacher.”
Schumacher’s death was announced by both the NHRA and Don Schumacher Racing, which wrote Wednesday in a post, “It is with heavy hearts that the Schumacher family announce the passing of motorsports icon Don Schumacher.”
“His teams have amassed 19 NHRA world championship titles and 367 Wally trophies, including the five he won while behind the wheel of a Funny Car,” his team wrote in a blog post.
It went on: “During his driving career, he contributed cutting-edge safety innovations for the new Funny Car category including a roof-mounted escape hatch that allowed drivers to quickly exit when all-too-frequent fires occurred. He was also the first to mount the lever that activated a fire suppression system on his Funny Car’s brake handle so the driver could apply both while keeping one hand on the steering wheel.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Tyler Fields is your internet guru, delving into the latest trends, developments, and issues shaping the online world. With a focus on internet culture, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Tyler keeps readers informed about the dynamic landscape of the internet and its impact on our digital lives.
