Netizens slam Donald Trump Jr for Tubbataha tweets

MANILA, Philippines – American businessman Donald Trump Jr., son of real estate mogul Donald Trump, believes the US Navy’s proposal to dismantle the USS Guardian to prevent further damage on the Tubbataha reefs isn’t such a sound idea. 

This is how stupid we are! $1/4 bil+ ho hum “@drudge_report: Navy to scrap $277 million ship to avoid scraping reef… drudge.tw/XSG79T”

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 30, 2013

His comments incurred the ire of netizens, who were quick to point out that the importance of the Tubbataha Reef National Park extends beyond monetary value. In 1993, Tubbataha Reef was designated UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Soo its all about the money huh??,, RT @donaldjtrumpjr: This is how stupid we are! $1/4 bil+ ho hum (cont) tl.gd/ksmics

— joaquin padilla (@ytsvan) January 31, 2013

.@donaldjtrumpjr how SAD that you think you can belittle our national treasure. money may come easy for you, but seems you don’t know VALUE.

— bianca gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) January 31, 2013

@donaldjtrumpjr your 277mil killing machine can never be more important than even a small section of reef that gives life to the oceans.

— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) January 31, 2013

@iamsuperbianca @donaldjtrumpjr A coral reef can take 10,000 years to form- marine life depends on it, your 277mil boat NOT MORE IMPT!

— nina joaquin (@ninajoaq) January 30, 2013

@donaldjtrumpjr If that happened in your country, your response would have been worse. So keep your arrogance in check. Thank you.

— Tourism Philippines (@TourismPinas) January 31, 2013

Unperturbed, Trump defended his position. 

See the Twitter thread here.

And despite the barrage of online criticism, Trump has stood by his position and remained unapologetic. 

@undertheseen and that’s all I’ve said you could have saved part of the reef and the ship instead both are worse off. Waste of resource & $

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 31, 2013