A tweet from Rudy Giuliani, personal attorney to President Donald Trump, went viral late Monday for the wrong reason ― after he misspelled the name of the late al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden.
Giuliani wrote “Ben Laden” instead of “bin Laden” in this post:
Contrast the reaction to the killing of Ben Laden. I and my fellow Republicans congratulated President Obama. Are we better than the Dems who are criticizing @realDonaldTrump. No,but maybe it can be a teaching moment to decent Americans to reject this pathology of political hate.
— Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) October 29, 2019
For Washington Post reporter John Hudson, it brought to mind one particular scene from Larry David’s comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
In one wonderful tweet, Giuliani becomes a real life Larry David sketch, mistakenly saying "Ben Laden" instead of "bin Laden."
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) October 29, 2019
Larry David: “You calling him Ben Ladin or Bin Laden? Ben, that’s almost like a Jewish name ... Ben Laden, that sounds like a shirt maker in Manhattan" https://t.co/2DmHZIOy7k pic.twitter.com/hfYFdDcTce
Here's the clip: https://t.co/PMXGjzUDKQ
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) October 29, 2019
“Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi noted Giuliani was the mayor of New York during the 9/11 terror attacks orchestrated by bin Laden, who was killed by U.S. forces in 2011.
When the Mayor of NYC during 9/11 speaks about the atrocities that “Ben Laden” committed: pic.twitter.com/6wU3Y3Jvk0
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) October 29, 2019
Others mocked Giuliani for the gaffe, which came just days after he butt-dialed an investigative reporter for the second time in just three weeks.
Oh that Benny https://t.co/mK8yzY2EGR
— Emily Brandwin (@CIAspygirl) October 29, 2019
Coolio featured him in a song. 🎶 Ben Laden most of my life living in a gangsters paradise 🎶 https://t.co/fVNoDWe9y2
— Irish Dave (@iamirishdave) October 29, 2019
Then: America’s Mayor, the hero of 9/11
— Hell Kennedy 🕸 (@HelenKennedy) October 29, 2019
Now: “Ben Laden”
I’m just so glad that Ben Laden is finally stepping out of his older brother’s shadow
— Sarah Cooper (@sarahcpr) October 29, 2019
Ben Laden had a regular booth at the 2nd avenue deli right? https://t.co/EPZyJA690q
— Anthony Atamanuik (@TonyAtamanuik) October 29, 2019
*rudy posts in the group chat*
— casey briggs (@CaseyBriggs) October 29, 2019
everyone else in the chat: Ben Laden https://t.co/3fQC6vbTow
Why did President Obama kill Ben Laden? Who is he? Where did he live? What did he do? Surely, this is the biggest scandal and hidden secret of his entire presidency. https://t.co/e42YQkeNn6
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) October 29, 2019
Where were you the moment that you heard Ben Laden had been killed? #BenLaden https://t.co/BTCKDkl8am
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 29, 2019
OK, about this guy #BenLaden:
— Jonah Blank (@JonahBlank) October 29, 2019
Word on the street: He knew @BarackObama back in the old days, when Barry ran a crew for the Honolulu Outfit. But this guy Ben, he liked to flap his lip a little more than was healthy, and-- well, let's just say he don't talk so much nowadays... https://t.co/tATSf0hhMm
https://t.co/3lJavHIvYi pic.twitter.com/G69B6tqK6P
— Andrew Scarecrow👻 (@AndrewCrow) October 29, 2019
New phone, is this your butt? https://t.co/zCPZJMyUjy
— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) October 29, 2019
This is the first I’m hearing about Ben.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) October 29, 2019
Were you two close?
Do you mean Benjamin Laden? Please use his full name.
— Invader Diem (@JeakPaul) October 29, 2019
Rudy, please get your facts and history straight. Ben Laden was the fearsome destroyer of the Ben Wa Balls.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) October 29, 2019
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
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.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
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.