Donald Trump's Tweet 'Gaffe' Places Paris in Germany

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U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses the crowd during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, December 21, 2015. On Thursday, in a response to the morning's shooting in Paris, he tweeted that Paris... Rebecca Cook/Reuters

If you want to be leader of the free world, it might be an idea to learn roughly where all the countries lie within it.

So when U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tweeted today of his horror at a foiled alleged shooting in Paris (the capital of France) and concluded that " Germany is a total mess," he came in for some mockery.

Man shot inside Paris police station. Just announced that terror threat is at highest level. Germany is a total mess-big crime. GET SMART!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2016

The phrase "Paris is in Germany" trended for much of Thursday afternoon as users lined up to take potshots at the controversial billionaire businessman.

"I've realised there's no threat @ realDonaldTrump will make it to UK. He thinks Paris is in Germany. # getsmart," tweeted British politician Chris Bryant.

I've realised there's no threat @realDonaldTrump will make it to UK. He thinks Paris is in Germany. #getsmart

— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) January 7, 2016

breaking news: paris is in germany pic.twitter.com/aeTkDdDbw5

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) January 7, 2016

Trump's Paris is in Germany comment is forcing us to defend this. pic.twitter.com/Gfg7PyCv6m

— PoliticalGroove (@PoliticalGroove) January 7, 2016

Other users, however, think Trump has been misinterpreted:

Trump Doesn't Think Paris Is In Germany. Leftists Are Just Idiots Who Don't Understand What Periods Do. https://t.co/oNC1Uy3Nqn

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 7, 2016

Uncommon Knowledge

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Josh is a staff writer covering Europe, including politics, policy, immigration and more.

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