Social media is pouncing on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s official statement on the death of Fidel Castro in which he appears to gloss over the former Cuban dictator’s polarizing brand of Soviet-style communism with the phrase “While a controversial figure …”
Castro’s death was announced on Cuban state television early Saturday. He was 90 years old.
In the statement, Trudeau said “it is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba’s longest serving President.”
He went on to say that, “While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro’s supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for ‘el Comandante.’”
The popular Twitter hashtag #trudeaueulogies started trending on Saturday afternoon as thousands applied the Prime Minister’s phrasing to other controversial characters – both real and imagined – ranging from Osama bin Laden to Darth Vader to Genghis Khan.
While Darth Vader did have his detractors he did create millions of jobs with his innovative infrastructure projects #trudeaueulogies
— Scott McKenzie (@jpsmack8) November 26, 2016
"While a controversial figure, John WIlkes Boothe will be remembered as a lover of the theatre" #trudeaueulogies
— Mark Johnson (@MW_Johnson1) November 26, 2016
#trudeaueulogies “Today we say goodbye to Mr. Mussolini, the former Italian prime minister best known for his competent train-management.”
— J.J. McCullough (@JJ_McCullough) November 26, 2016
Vlad the Impaler, a leader who, in the face of adversity, showed us all how to really stick to it. #trudeaueulogies
— Craig Cooper (@craigrcooper) November 26, 2016
#trudeaueulogies Through his innovations in bio-chemistry, logistics and agriculture, Pablo Escobar revolutionized his field. May he RIP.
— Richard Ciano (@richardciano) November 26, 2016
I am grieving over the loss of Sauron and his vision of a united Middle Earth and social justice for all Orcs #trudeaueulogies
— Josh Hood (@ncpack2010) November 26, 2016
" my sympathies on the passing of Bernie Madoff,he saw opportunity on the faces of every person he met " #trudeaueulogies
— Peter Nelson (@RedTory1) November 26, 2016
To see more #trudeaueulogies, follow along on Twitter here.
