Newt Gingrich fired off an unusual series of tweets in commemoration of Pearl Harbor Day in which he noted Japan’s “professional brilliance” in carrying out the surprise attack.
While many marked Wednesday’s 75th anniversary by remembering the more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen killed in battle on Dec. 7, 1941, Gingrich took a different approach.
Here are the tweets:
December 7 is a good day to remember that the world is dangerous and shattering surprise is possible even when we have been warned.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 7, 2016
75 years ago the Japanese displayed professional brilliance and technological power launching surprises from Hawaii to the Philippines
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 7, 2016
Japanese planning and trainng let them also carry out surprise attacks in Hong Kong and Malaysia.It was widest surprise attack in history
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 7, 2016
Gingrich, who has co-authored two novels based on the events surrounding the attack, drew sharp replies on Twitter:
Did you just praise Japan for the Pearl Harbor attacks? @newtgingrich
— The Notorious T.I.M (@BionicBombshell) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich They killed 2,400 Americans.
— Corey Kendall (@ckendall77) December 7, 2016
And you're praising it.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/pYFoj29HFG
@newtgingrich 9/11 was also a surprise attack. Can we expect you to praise a few terrorists in September next year?
— Corey D. Willis (@coreydwillis) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich Jesus Christ, if Obama tweeted this Republicans would be losing their shit.
— nonya (@nonyabusiness2) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich pic.twitter.com/CwvuMaNEhF
— Victor Huckabee (@popesaintvictor) December 8, 2016
@newtgingrich I really can't believe this. Walk us all through your thought process on typing this out and then pressing send on a Dec. 7th.
— Mike Emerick (@mikeemerick) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich wonder how long it will be before you delete this. Is praise for al qaeda next? What a disgrace
— Danny Keystone (@DannyKeystone) December 7, 2016
— chelsea (@chelllssseeea) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich 15 years ago the Muslim extremists displayed professional brilliance and strategy launching surprises from New York to D.C.
— Eric D. Snider! (@EricDSnider) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich Once again rather than do the courageous, American statement praising US troops, you salute our enemy.
— I'll ride with youđź“Ž (@mrshellwinger) December 7, 2016
.@TheDoctorCarson @newtgingrich pic.twitter.com/kRSCuXKVzR
— happy haydendays (@haydenaudette51) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich America's greatest generation really appreciates your touching tribute!
— Avram Goldstein (@newsdoc) December 7, 2016
@newtgingrich There is a time for analytics and a time for tribute. My guess it that you have no idea what time it is.
— GR Vimont (@gvravel) December 8, 2016
.@newtgingrich pic.twitter.com/VKAnqvJj1e
— Blake Lyman (@BLymanWarrior) December 8, 2016
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.