Donald Trump Jr. shared a Twitter joke about the Chinese spy balloon that is certain to raise the ire of his father, former Republican President Donald Trump.
Trump Jr. admitted a joke about the balloon—which over the weekend was shot down as it flew off the Atlantic coast of South Carolina—is "funny" even though it shows his father's infamous portrayal as the "Trump Baby." The balloon depicts Trump as an angry orange baby holding a smartphone and was used in multiple protests against his father's presidential administration.
The joke in question was from Twitter user Ricky Diaz, who joked if he were Trump, he'd be "flying this beauty"—referring to the Trump baby balloon—"over Beijing by morning."
You can see Trump Jr.'s tweet below.
\u201cNot gonna lie\u2026 this is funny.\u201d— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1675616080
The original "Trump Baby" balloon was flown over Parliament Square in London in 2018 after the effort to display it garnered over £17,000 and more than 10,000 signatures.
London police estimated over 100,000 protestors were in attendance to speak out against the former President's state visit at the time as well as his history of sexual misconduct and often incendiary policy directives.
The "Trump Baby" proved so popular precisely because Trump himself is so unpopular. It made several other appearances since, including at anti-Trump protests in Washington, D.C..
Given the balloon's backstory, it's unlikely Trump Jr.'s father would appreciate the laugh his son enjoyed at his expense.
Others certainly had thoughts about the meme.
\u201cJunior, your dad's on line one.\u201d— Brain Salad Surgery (@Brain Salad Surgery) 1675719068
Can't do that, they'd freeze Trumps Chinese Bank Accounts!
— Daiti O'Brion CDM 🇺🇸 🇮🇪 🇵🇭🇺🇦 David Byrne (@BroinDaiti) February 6, 2023
The balloon of your dad wouldn't make it out of the Country...
— Vince Sanchez (@DefeatTheeBeast) February 6, 2023
This is way funnier….. pic.twitter.com/tTQBpAUrja
— likahunter (@Likahunter) February 6, 2023
Dude, your dad looks ridiculous not funny.
— Ed Solis (@EdSol503) February 6, 2023
A giant balloon of your manbaby daddy.
That thing traveled the world and people laughed heartily at his expense.
Yeah, I get why the forgotten spawn might find this funny.
— Jo 🌻 (@JoJoFromJerz) February 5, 2023
\u201cWow. We finally agree on something!!\u201d— The Mrs. (@The Mrs.) 1675718359
Will you be providing the hot air, or will dad?
— Artie Miss Parodee 👀 (@artiemiss65) February 6, 2023
The Chinese government said it "regrets" its weather surveillance "airship" accidentally flew over United States' airspace after the Pentagon said a purported spy balloon flew over Montana.
Republicans called for it to immediately be shot down, but the Pentagon advised President Joe Biden to wait until there would be no danger to people or property.
China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement the balloon is a "civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes" that "deviated far from its planned course" after being impacted by the prevailing Westerlies and its "limited self-steering capability."
But tensions between China and the United States—two of the world's leading geopolitical rivals—flared after the balloon was shot down a few days later, leading the Chinese government to suggest the move was an unwelcome and unnecessary provocation while unequivocally stating it reserved the right to retaliate.
