The controversy on Twitter over Jeb's imprudent post surprised few, considering the rise in domestic violence in the US and the many shootings in schools, churches and workplaces that make headlines with increasing regularity. Many criticized the wealthy candidate for equating their homeland with a gun.
America. pic.twitter.com/TeduJkwQF3
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 16, 2016
.@JebBush Actually, America. pic.twitter.com/ltNZvwowqC
— Aaron Levie (@levie) February 17, 2016
Others didn't take Jeb's awkward sense of what he considers appropriate behavior seriously. Twitter exploded with mockery.
Jeb Bush threatens to shoot America if it doesn't vote for himhttps://t.co/WGWxcru6W3 pic.twitter.com/rBbjPrzc83
— Cory Doctorow (@doctorow) February 17, 2016
People from different parts of the world launched a flashmob aimed at acquainting the Republican presidential hopeful with ‘weapons' symbolizing their countries.
.@JebBush Ireland. pic.twitter.com/jbcoRjpv1Z
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 17, 2016
.@JebBush The United Kingdom pic.twitter.com/2vCH7ZVPXj
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) February 17, 2016
. @JebBush Australia. pic.twitter.com/CgoDqLTu7i
— Sam Spettigue (@ninjaspag) February 16, 2016
.@deoregan @JebBush Ireland. pic.twitter.com/zLvO3EBuFL
— Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) February 16, 2016
Korea @JebBush pic.twitter.com/YRzL9hciyv
— Kim Jong-un (@norcoreano) February 17, 2016
@JebBush Russia pic.twitter.com/mUP0CiWbUW
— Emilio Stark (@EmilioMarbella) February 17, 2016
@JebBush Belgium pic.twitter.com/3HwviKqyp3
— Majd Khalifeh (@Majd_Khalifeh) February 17, 2016
@JebBush Iraq. pic.twitter.com/S0OzKtp8GU
— Arlen Siu (@paolobruschi) February 17, 2016
There were some fictional worlds, too.
@jayowenreturn @asymbina @evangoer @lnmorton @JohnJosephAdams @JebBush Hogwarts pic.twitter.com/81wrAvNZEb
— Drunk Cobata (@GarciaHortolano) February 16, 2016
@GarciaHortolano @jayowenreturn @asymbina @evangoer @lnmorton @JohnJosephAdams @JebBush Westeros pic.twitter.com/pRNWAcC85v
— Fogrimm (@fogrimm) February 17, 2016
@RG_FILMS @sirosenbaum @fogrimm @GarciaHortolano @jayowenreturn @asymbina @evangoer @JebBush 16th century Japan pic.twitter.com/W03EO8Teyb
— Pimm Hogeling (@pimmhogeling) February 17, 2016
@asymbina @evangoer @lnmorton @JohnJosephAdams @JebBush Bionis. pic.twitter.com/EKaz9dTINs
— Jay Owen (@jayowenreturn) February 16, 2016
@JebBush Legoland pic.twitter.com/2BdWvNnOuA
— Ingo Bousa (@supaswag) February 17, 2016
.@JebBush Transilvania. pic.twitter.com/7LKsGc1HAV
— Super Falete (@SuperFalete) February 16, 2016
The former Florida governor, who is pro-gun, may have hoped to gain some support on social media. Instead, his gun tweet gave rise to a new negative Internet meme. Everybody has their own satirical idea of what best represents America.
America (well historically, before) @JebBush pic.twitter.com/ocR2phBWF5
— Stroumboulopoulos (@strombo) February 16, 2016
@strombo @JebBush America pic.twitter.com/EpTZimcHf9
— Ghostlore (@Ghostlore) February 16, 2016
Even National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden got into the act, tweeting this sound advice to candidate Bush: "Delete your account."
