Compare your view of year’s politics against Trump’s tweets
No, you’re not going crazy. When you think back to all the political news this year, it’s not insane to ask, “Did that really happen?”
Let’s test your recall with a 2017 political news quiz. Our questions are based on the nation’s dominant political currency: tweets by and about President Trump, otherwise known as a glimpse at the nation’s id. (You can see them all at the Trump Twitter archive.)
1. Despite winning election to the world’s most powerful office, Trump could not stop talking about the person he defeated, Hillary Clinton. Or, as he referred to her 29 times on Twitter, “Crooked.” Which of the following is not an actual Trump tweet about Clinton?
A) “Crooked Hillary Clinton blames everybody (and everything) but herself for her election loss. She lost the debates and lost her direction!” (Sept. 13)
B) “Crooked Hillary Clinton now blames everybody but herself, refuses to say she was a terrible candidate. Hits Facebook & even Dems & DNC.” (May 31)
C) “Crooked Hillary Clinton spent hundreds of millions of dollars more on Presidential Election than I did. Facebook was on her side, not mine!” (Oct. 21)
D) “Crooked Hillary never shook my hand during debate! Not so nice!” (April 7)
2. In terms of insulting other world leaders, Trump is the Don Rickles of international diplomacy. Few leaders, outside of Russian President Vladimir Putin, are spared. Which of the following is not an actual insult tweet about a fellow leader?
A) “Why would Kim Jong Un insult me by calling me “old,” when I would NEVER call him “short and fat?” Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend — and maybe someday that will happen!” (Nov. 11)
B) “Raul Castro is a loser. Couldn’t hold a candle to his brother. Cuba is a disaster because of him.” (March 3)
C) “Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his ‘no reason to be alarmed’ statement. MSM is working hard to sell it!” (June 5)
D) “Iran is playing with fire — they don’t appreciate how ‘kind’ President Obama was to them. Not me!” (Feb. 3)
3. Trump has several senators with nicknames that they likely wouldn’t have chosen for themselves. Which of the following isn’t a Trumpcreated moniker?
A) Sen. Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren (Nov. 3)
B) Sen. “Cryin” Chuck Schumer (May 9)
C) Sen. Ben “Pizza Face” Sasse (July 7)
D) Sen. “Liddle” Bob Corker (Oct. 10)
4) It is rare for a world leader — or even a former world leader — to openly mock a U.S. president. Until 2017. One of Trump’s biggest critics on Twitter is former Mexican President Vicente Fox. Which of the following is not an actual Fox tweet about Trump?
A) “.@realDonaldTrump, are you really trying to tweet your way towards world war? You hot headed moron, your retweets provoke further violence and hate. You better step aside, before it’s too late. “(Nov. 29)
B) “.@ realDonaldTrump just killed what was left of diplomacy.” (Nov. 11)
C) “.@realDonaldTrump is a short-fingered dictator who is destroying America” (Aug. 19)
D) “.@realDonaldTrump, once again I tell you: we’re not paying for the #F—Wall! Don’t try us for your own good.” (Aug. 3) 5) One of Trump’s favorite media punching bags is CNN. Which of these was not tweeted by the leader of the free world about the free press?
A) “Another false story, this time in the Failing @nytimes, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day — Wrong! Also, I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC, both of which I consider Fake News. I never watch Don Lemon, who I once called the ‘dumbest man on television!’ Bad Reporting.” (Dec. 11)
B) “I am thinking about changing the name #FakeNews CNN to #FraudNewsCNN!” (July 1)
C) “CNN’S slogan is CNN, THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN NEWS. Everyone knows this is not true, that this could, in fact, be a fraud on the American Public. There are many outlets that are far more trusted than Fake News CNN. Their slogan should be CNN, THE LEAST TRUSTED NAME IN NEWS!” (Dec. 9)
D) “Wolf Blitzer should lose the beard. Makes him look old.” (June 5)
6. Trump, the chief executive of the United States, loves to call people “losers.” Which of the following has Trump not referred to as a loser on Twitter?
A) “Can’t believe Cleveland Cavaliers lost NBA championship again. LeBron: Loser and a choker.” (June 14)
B) “Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner. The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better” (Sept. 15)
C) “Crooked Hillary Clinton is the worst (and biggest) loser of all time. She just can’t stop, which is so good for the Republican Party. Hillary, get on with your life and give it another try in three years!” (Nov. 18)
D) “While in the Philippines I was forced to watch @CNN, which I have not done in months, and again realized how bad, and FAKE, it is. Loser!” (Nov. 15)
7. Trump isn’t always confrontational on Twitter. Sometimes he uses the platform to talk about feelings and emotions. Call it his safe space. Which isn’t a real tweet?
A) “The reason Flake and Corker dropped out of the Senate race is very simple, they had zero chance of being elected. Now act so hurt & wounded” (Oct. 25)
B) “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer stated recently, ‘I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer.’ Then acts so indignant. #drainthe swamp” (May 9)
C) “Why does General Mattis keep ‘mansplaining’ to me when we talk about Syria like I don’t know what I’m talking about. Hurtful!” (May 4)
D) “Sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments.” (Aug. 17)
8. As a reality TV star, the president wasn’t afraid to comment on pop culture. Which of the following is not something he tweeted:
A) “Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn’t know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes. She is a ... Hillary flunky who lost big. ...” (Jan. 9)
B) “Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger did a really bad job as Governor of California and even worse on the Apprentice ... but at least he tried hard!” (Feb. 3)
C) “Nobody makes me laugh harder than Larry the Cable Guy! Genius! #GitRDone #MAGA” (March 17)
D) “While not at all presidential I must point out that the Sloppy Michael Moore Show on Broadway was a TOTAL BOMB and was forced to close. Sad!” (Oct. 28)
9) As the former owner of the USFL’s New Jersey Generals, Trump was comfortable commenting about sports. Which tweet did not come from him?
A) “I wouldn’t sign disrespectful Colin Kaepernick to be the waterboy! Even terrible 49ers don’t want him. #StandForAnthem!” (Sept. 17)
B) “Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!” (Nov. 15)
C) “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!” (Sept. 24)
D) “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!” (Sept. 23)
10. Trump has often lashed out at California. Which of the following is not something he tweeted about the state?
A) “Sleazy Adam Schiff, the totally biased Congressman looking into ‘Russia,’ spends all of his time on television pushing the Dem loss excuse!” (July 24)
B) “Burning Man is not what is used to be. Last time I do Camp Trump there! #MAGA!” (Sept. 4)
C) “Marshawn Lynch of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem. Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down.” (Nov. 20)
D) “If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view — NO FEDERAL FUNDS?” (Feb. 2)