A hashtag divided: President’s #AskPOTUS Q&A session on Twitter shows country's mood
#AskPOTUS is one of the top trending hashtags on Twitter, with almost 30,000 tweets. President Barack Obama responded to a few questions that gave him the opportunity to advocate his policies, but Twitter users were interested in a variety of topics.
The president had just finished a town hall meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and held the online Q&A session from the same location. The social media event comes two days after his last State of the Union address.
Hey everyone! Ready to answer your questions here at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge. Let's do this. #AskPOTUSpic.twitter.com/jA1MEbwcxg
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
Obama spoke out against Islamophobia, which has been on the rise in the face of recent terror attacks carried out by radicalized Muslims.
so we all need to speak out against bias and stereotypes, to protect the freedom of others, and our own as well.
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
The the president took a nostalgic look back at passing the still-controversial Affordable Care Act, which he considers a crowning achievement of his administration.
health care inflation lowest in decades since ACA passed; problem is more costs passed to workers thru copays, etc. https://t.co/ElBcrjxa6L
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
the night aca passed; standing on truman balcony with all staff whod made it happen, knowing we'd helped millions. https://t.co/eUr3rZ3UN7
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
Doubling down on his support of tighter gun regulations, Obama even gave pro-gun control resources.
places to start - @GabbyGiffords's https://t.co/ATm1M4iMgU and @Everytown
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
The former Illinois senator also answered a question related to professional basketball rather than politics.
love em all, but as a bulls fan got to go with mj. in baton rouge, just met lsu freshman ben simmons - will be great https://t.co/Du1gflVYp4
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 14, 2016
It is the unanswered questions, however, that may have gleaned the most insight into the mood of the American people.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) took the president to task for what he sees as stagnation of middle class wages under the current administration.
Middle class wages are completely stagnant. What is your administration doing about that? https://t.co/rRvDQy875v#AskPOTUS
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) January 14, 2016
Some users were quick to grill the president about US funding of a supposedly moderate Syrian opposition that in fact had links to Islamic terrorism.
"there was no viable ‘moderate’ opposition to Assad, and the US was arming extremists." https://t.co/kQfDEVg1VN
#AskPOTUS Why we did this
— Nought-but-shadows (@warmingtozero) January 14, 2016
Why are you arming Al-Qaeda Terrorists? #AskPotushttps://t.co/oXpQL3rTfQpic.twitter.com/mAgVNIvQpB
— Ian56 (@Ian56789) January 14, 2016
Others asked about his stance on immigration, which resulted in a recent amnesty executive order that was ruled illegal by a federal court.
Why do you refuse to enforce our immigration laws? #AskPOTUS
— Cactus Howl (@CactusHowl) January 14, 2016
#AskPOTUS Why are you willing to Risk Citizens Lives for #SyrianRefugees that can not be Vetted? #WakeUpAmerica#immigration
— DAII (@ub2bad2) January 14, 2016
Can you do us a favor and get out of Donald Trump's house early? #AskPOTUS
— Virginia Dare (@vdare) January 14, 2016
As ever, some Twitter users just used the hashtag as an opportunity to be funny.
#AskPOTUS
After meticulously viewing this image, which Lab's life matters the most to you? pic.twitter.com/IpRxNHlNLb
— Shaughn (@Shaughn_A) January 14, 2016