Backlash: Why Donald Trump's tweet has offended people across Britain
President Trump has received backlash in Britain after insulting a national point of pride, their healthcare system, on Twitter.
On Monday, Trump targeted Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) when he tweeted that “thousands of people are marching in the UK because their U system is going broke and not working”.
The comment drew criticism over the accuracy of the claims, mainly because the march he was referring to was focused on demanding more funding for the NHS following a decade of austerity measures.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said, “I may disagree with claims made on that march but not ONE of them wants to live in a system where 28 million people have no cover” referring to the Republican goal of replacing Obamacare.
“NHS may have challenges but I’m proud to be from the country that invented universal coverage — where all get care no matter the size of their bank balance.”
UK labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted, “Wrong. People were marching because we love our NHS and hate what the Tories are doing to it. Healthcare is a human right.”
Broadcaster Piers Morgan also called out Trump writing, “The US healthcare system is a sick joke & the envy of no-one.”
Despite the funding problems of the NHS, it is seen as a national point of pride in the UK and was even included in the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.
Trump’s tweet follows ex-UKIP leader and Trump supporter Nigel Farage appearing on Fox and Friends to talk about the march.
In the interview, Farage blamed immigration for increasing pressure on the NHS and said it’s at “breaking point”.
The march organisers, the People’s Assembly Against Austerity and Health Campaigns Together, said the UK healthcare system has been around since 1948 and during that time has been a “shining example to the world of what can be achieved when we put the needs of the collective good over the interests of a few wealthy individuals".
“Unfortunately, our current government have been persuaded to increasingly adopt policies which represent those of your Government, they have decided to move us more to an American-style system which is widely acknowledged to be one of the most expensive, inefficient and unjust healthcare systems in the world,” they wrote in an open letter to Trump.
“This is what our demonstration was about on Saturday 3rd February and tens of thousands of British people want to show their love for the principles of universal and comprehensive care free at the point of use, paid for through general taxation. We don’t agree with your divisive and incorrect rhetoric. No thanks.”