Tonight, President Barack Obama delivered a short and rare speech on the recent terror attacks at San Bernadino. During a time when Americans are increasingly on edge, it was an important moment where the POTUS attempted to reassure the American public that our government is doing everything in their power to keep the American public safe. He spoke about how social media erases the distance between countries and allows foreign entities to radicalize people from around the globe, equated ISIS to a cancer that has no immediate cure, and alluded to the insanity that congress still refuses to pass gun law legislation that prevents people who are on the “no-fly” list to purchase guns. Furthermore, he made it a point to reinforce the notion that ISIS does not represent all of Islam.
As this address briefly interrupted everyone’s Sunday night ritual of sitcoms and football, the social media reaction was swift and comprehensive. Here are some of the best reactions from across the web:
This is only the third time President Obama has addressed the nation from the oval office during his presidency.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) December 7, 2015
ISIL doesn't represent Islam. They're thugs, cult of death. Not at war with Muslims. -President Obama
— Blair Miller (@blairmiller) December 7, 2015
U.S. President #Obama says "we lose" and betray our values if we engage in discrimination.
— Matt Soleyn (@MattSoleyn) December 7, 2015
President Obama: "It is the responsibility of all Americans, of every faith, to reject discrimination."
— Lauren St. Germain (@LaurenWFTS) December 7, 2015
@Blavity seemed like more pandering…the fact is these mass shootings are still more likely to be carried out by white men in America
— Drayton Jackson (@Mister_Terrance) December 7, 2015
@BlavityLive @Blavity 1. Freedom is greater than fear 2.We going to ground war, sort of/not really? 3. Ppl won't see gun control = ISIL link
— Stupefyin' Jones (@Anskylove) December 7, 2015
POTUS: Muslim Americans are our friends, neighbors, coworkers, sports heroes & in defense forces & willing to die for this country
— Hind Makki (@HindMakki) December 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/elonjames/status/673671186698526720
@BlavityLive @Blavity A bit disappointing. I thought he'd speak more broadly on domestic terrorism. Not just ISIS/ISIL.
— M. Callas III (@TheRealJStan) December 7, 2015
"We should not be drawn once more into a costly ground war in Iraq and Syria." — Obama
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) December 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/JonaLisaG/status/673673558518812673
https://twitter.com/CarolynJTerry/status/673673349260845056
https://twitter.com/Russian_Starr/status/673676264180424704
When you tired of your job & ready for them to fire you pic.twitter.com/CbRrSwCCuV
— Pastel Papi (@4REST_JOB) December 7, 2015
Obama should've ended his speech with a dab
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) December 7, 2015
