The since-deleted tweet read, “The Bahamas, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas … may all be in our prayers now. Millions of us seeing Dorian turn away from land is not a wacky idea; it is a creative use of the power of the mind. The two minutes of prayer, visualization, meditation for those in the way of the storm.”
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 4, 2019
Less than two hours after the tweet was shared to Williamson’s millions of followers, it was taken down and ultimately replaced with a tweet that called for individuals to pray for the residents of the Bahamas, Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina.
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) September 4, 2019
However, despite Williamson’s cleanup efforts, the damage was already done, and netizens were coming in hard with their pitchforks.
— Christine Galea (@chrisgalea) September 4, 2019
— Aaron Sarka (@SarkaAaron) September 4, 2019
— jordan (@JordanUhl) September 4, 2019
— Michael Grubbs (@StealthyMG) September 4, 2019
— Ryan (@rjkridebikes) September 4, 2019
— Prairie Dawn (@PrairieDawn2011) September 4, 2019
— Sarah, ze/zir (@flootzavut) September 4, 2019
— Jimmy from the BX (@BloodwingBX) September 4, 2019
In a statement to the Hill, Williamson’s campaign explained that the tweet had been replaced because it was stirring up some confusion among readers. “It was a metaphor. When others speak of prayer and the mind, it’s considered profound, but Williamson is held to a different standard. … Because the comment led to confusion it was replaced,” a spokesperson wrote.
Williamson is presently just one of 20 Democratic candidates running for the 2020 presidential election.
Hurricane Dorian tore through the Bahamas on Sunday as a Category 5 storm, killing at least seven individuals. Dozens of people have been reported missing, and thousands of homes and commercial buildings were destroyed. Dorian - since downgraded to a Category 2 storm - is currently about 100 miles off Florida’s northeastern coastline, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
