Former GOP candidate and economist torched on Twitter after frivolous criticism of Ukrainian President
An economist who was previously a Republican Senate candidate in Connecticut is facing criticism for his frivolous remarks about Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian President's recent appeal to members of the U.S. Congress.
On Wednesday, March 16, Peter Schiff, currently the chief economist at Euro Pacific Capital, took to Twitter to share his reaction to Zelensky's virtual address to Congress. Instead of focusing on the president's speech, Schiff opted to criticize him for his attire. Despite facing deadly circumstances, Schiff argued that the Ukrainian president should have worn a suit as he suggested that his attire was disrespectful to the United States.
"I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the U.S. Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the Unites States."
I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the U.S. Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the Unites States.— Peter Schiff (@Peter Schiff) 1647436236
Schiff's tweets were immediately met with backlash from Twitter users who criticized him for failing to see the bigger picture. "This tweet by Peter Schiff must be one of the dumbest tweets I've ever seen on Twitter," one user tweeted as he added, "And I even followed Donald Trump's tweets when he still had an account."
This tweet by Peter Schiff must be one of the dumbest tweets I've ever seen on Twitter. And I even followed Donald Trumps tweets when he still had an account...https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1504082706598146058\u00a0\u2026— Thomas Sund (@Thomas Sund) 1647459153
"The president of Ukraine is a freedom fighter," tweeted New York Times best-selling author, Mike Lupica. "You're somebody who would throw his back out reaching for a twenty-dollar bill somebody dropped."
The president of Ukraine is a freedom fighter. You're somebody who would throw his back out reaching for a twenty dollar bill somebody dropped.https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1504082706598146058\u00a0\u2026— Mike Lupica (@Mike Lupica) 1647441918
Ratio'd! \n\nAnd WHO THE FUCK CARES what people wear? This isn't 1953. I live in sweat pants. It's not about respect for you - it's about comfort for me. Get over it.https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1504082706598146058\u00a0\u2026— dan ushman (@dan ushman) 1647468949
*Peter Schiff, standing amongst the rubble of a recently bombed Ukrainian apartment building*\n\n"HAVE SOME SELF RESPECT, YOU LOSERS! WAR CRIMES BEING ACTIVELY PERPETUATED AGAINST YOUR PEOPLE ARE NO EXCUSE TO LET YOURSELVES GO!"https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1504082706598146058\u00a0\u2026— Kendall Brown (@Kendall Brown) 1647439490
Bro, I spent a whole pandemic year doing zoom calls with no pants on. And forget makeup. This guy\u2019s country is being bombed and you\u2019re over here talking about suits?! Ughhttps://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1504082706598146058\u00a0\u2026— Andi Petrillo (@Andi Petrillo) 1647470596
Despite the onslaught of critical tweets, Schiff doubled down on his remarks. He tweeted, "He did not just come off the battlefield. He had time to apply makeup for the camera. His hair was combed. Not a strand was out of place, and he had a clean shave and a trimmed beard. So he could have worn something less informal than a t-shirt. That's all I suggested."
He did not just come off the battle field. He had time to apply makeup for the camera. His hair was combed. Not a strand was out of place, and he had a clean shave and a trimmed beard. So he could have worn something less informal than a t-shirt. That's all I suggested.— Peter Schiff (@Peter Schiff) 1647460563
However, one Twitter user pointed out a specific flaw in Schiff's tweet which forced him to offer clarity on what he meant. He added, "Yes, but had he worn a jacket with an open collar I likely wouldn't have said anything. A suit was my suggestion which is generally typical attire for a head of state address Congress."
