The elephant in the room has finally been addressed.
Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts. Under study for years. Will update soon with Secretary Zinke. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2017
Trump’s decision by tweet comes as animal lovers everywhere, as well as every major conservation organization, exploded in outrage when it was revealed that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would reverse an Obama administration ruling and resume allowing the importation of endangered African elephants killed for trophies in Zimbabwe and Zambia. It was later revealed that the ban on was also lifted for lions as well as elephants.
With the Trump administration reversing all of the environmental regulations put in place by Obama, and the President’s sons famous for posing with the carcasses of the poor creatures that they brutally murdered for sport, the reversal of the decision to allow these horrific trophies comes as a surprise.
Speculation is rampant that the opposition of a few key Republican stalwarts may have contributed to Trump’s change of heart. On Friday, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) denounced the decision, saying:
“Elephants and other big game in Africa are blood currency for terrorist organizations, and they are being killed at an alarming rate. Today Zimbabwe is in economic and political crisis. I have zero confidence that the regime – which for years has promoted corruption at the highest levels – is properly managing and regulating conservation programs.”
Perhaps even more influential was the opposition of conservative radio and Fox News personality Laura Ingraham, who tweeted this message out to the President:
I don't understand how this move by @realDonaldTrump Admin will not INCREASE the gruesome poaching of elephants. Stay tuned. https://t.co/KqizmlgaGg
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) November 16, 2017
Despite the good news included in Trump’s tweet, the extent of the distrust that the President has engendered in his term so far was well reflected in the comments to it.
I find it strangely entertaining that his blind hatred for Obama will ultimately be his undoing. We can only hope it comes before he can do too much more damage to our planet.
— Trevor Capper (@TrevorCap) November 18, 2017
Don’t you mean “I’m putting this on hold because I didn’t anticipate the backlash and can’t afford one more legit reason for people to hate my face?”
Pro tip for ya big guy…..real leaders study those pesky fact thingamajigs BEFORE making dumbass decisions or announcements ????— Canadian Ginger (@geekyginge) November 18, 2017
Elephants are GOP mascots. There was a methaphor to be had about you allowing them to be killed, but this was a good move.
— Joel (@joelshoenyc) November 18, 2017
And finally, this reply, one that would make Kathy Griffin proud.
— JDMc ???????????????? (@155places) November 18, 2017
