The seven U.S. Navy sailors that went missing after a collision between a destroyer and a container ship off the coast of Japan, have now been found, according to reports from The Washington Post. The bodies of the sailors were found in the berthing compartments of the USS Fitzgerald, which flooded following the collision Saturday morning.
A statement from the 7th Fleet reads:
‘A number of Sailors that were missing from the collision between USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and a merchant ship have been found. As search and rescue crews gained access to the spaces that were damaged during the collision this morning, the missing Sailors were located in the flooded berthing compartments. They are currently being transferred to Naval Hospital Yokosuka where they will be identified. The families are being notified and being provided the support they need during this difficult time. The names of the Sailors will be released after all notifications are made.’
What’s almost worse, however, is President Donald Trump’s reaction to the tragedy — or lack there of.
You see, as news broke regarding the collision, Trump stayed silent. Instead, he tweeted about Cuba and Sean Hannity, blatantly ignoring the fact that several Americans lost their lives while serving our country.
When he finally did decide to acknowledge what happened — well over 24 hours later — he mentioned nothing about the deaths of the soldiers, instead writing:
‘Thoughts and prayers with the sailors of the USS Fitzgerald and their families. Thank you to our Japanese allies for their assistance.’
Thoughts and prayers with the sailors of USS Fitzgerald and their families. Thank you to our Japanese allies for their assistance. https://t.co/d1l5ctjNyB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 17, 2017
Moreover, the ever-incompetent 45 left both the Navy Secretary and Ambassador to Japan posts unfilled, making it more difficult, of course, to search for the missing Navy soldiers following the collision.
But Twitter quickly jumped on Trump for taking such a long time to acknowledge what happened. Some of the best responses can be viewed below.
‘@realDonaldTrump Grow up man! Have u no decency??? 7 dead navy soldiers….’
Grow up man! Have u no decency??? 7 dead navy soldiers….
— Rebecca J (@BekkajSodaCity) June 18, 2017
‘@realDonaldTrump JFC YOU HAVE 7 DEAD US NAVY SOLDIERS FOUND – & you care more about a FAKE POLL only uneducated @FoxNews cultists believe in????’
JFC YOU HAVE 7 DEAD US NAVY SOLDIERS FOUND – & you care more about a FAKE POLL only uneducated @FoxNews cultists believe in????
— Sassy (@TheSassypriest) June 18, 2017
‘7 dead navy sailors. 7 Americans soldiers shot in Afghanistan. And you’re tweeting about poll #s (O was at 55% in 2009). You’re pathetic.’
7 dead navy sailors. 7 American soldiers shot in Afghanistan. And you're tweeting about poll #s (O was at 55% in 2009). You're pathetic.
— DocCraig (@psychdoccraig) June 18, 2017
‘7 Navy soldiers confirmed dead today in tragic naval accident. Not a word from @realDonaldTrump. #Disgraceful #ussfitzgerald’
7 Navy soldiers confirmed dead today in tragic naval accident. Not a word from @realDonaldTrump. #Disgraceful #ussfitzgerald
— Craig Snyder (@craigasnyderlaw) June 18, 2017
‘@BraddJaffy Not to mention he has no clue how to act like real president of the greatest country. 7 Navy soldiers are dead and he tweets polls.’
Not to mention he has no clue how to act like a real president of the greatest country. 7 Navy soldiers are dead and he tweets polls.
— DRode (@debr3322) June 18, 2017
‘@realDonaldTrump @SusanHa51371566 The USS Fitzgerald might sink in Japanese waters but Trump can’t call the ambassador of Navy Secy ‘coz he hasn’t nominated either of them.’
The USS Fitzgerald might sink in Japanese waters but Trump can’t call the ambassador or Navy Secy ‘coz he hasn’t nominated either of them.
— Anirvan Ghosh (@anirvanghosh) June 17, 2017
‘@realDonaldTrump @SusanHa51371566 The ship was hit by a freighter off the Japan coast. 7 sailors went missing but Trump was busy tweeting about Hannity.’
The ship was hit by a freighter off the Japan coast. 7 sailors went missing but Trump was busy tweeting about Hannity.
— Anirvan Ghosh (@anirvanghosh) June 17, 2017
‘@anirvanghost @realDonaldTrump @SusanHa51371566 Yes but nominating son’s wedding planner very impt stuff! Worst record of any Prez’
Yes but nominating son's wedding planner very impt stuff! Worst record of any Prez
— WindHorse (@WndHrseStrategy) June 17, 2017
‘@realDonaldTrump sad that it took you this long to acknowledge this. Perhaps if you filled the gov positions this could have been avoided’
sad that it took you this long to acknowledge this. Perhaps if you filled the gov positions this could have been avoided
— Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) June 17, 2017
‘@realDonaldTrump Where was this yesterday? You couldn’t have just found out about this today when civilians knew about yesterday. And don’t give the excuse.’
Where was this yesterday? You couldn't have just found out about this today when civilians knew about yesterday. And don't give the excuse
— Logan Womack (@SilverWolfLove1) June 17, 2017
Featured Image via Getty Images.