The City of Orlando created a bit of controversy after its official Twitter account tweeted a Fourth of July message criticizing the country, garnering responses from those calling it un-American.
The since-deleted tweet from the official city government was posted on Friday featuring the message with a photo of fireworks over the city.
"A lot of people probably don't want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can't blame them," the statement said. "When there is so much division, hate and unrest, why on earth would you want to have a party celebrating any of it?
"But in all seriousness, you know in your heart, Fourth of July fireworks are amazing, especially when you are standing in 90-degree heat, 100 percent humidity, next to 100,000 of your closest friends. In that moment, something takes over and we all become united in an inexplicable bond. Yes, America is in strife right now, but you know what ... we already bought the fireworks."
Christina Pushaw, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' press secretary, took a screenshot of the message and tweeted it out, criticizing what it conveyed on a holiday important to many.
The tweet was deleted sometime on Saturday, and the city released an apology saying it "regrets the negative impact" it had on some in the community.
"We understand these words offended some of our residents, which was not our intent. We value the freedoms we have in this country and are thankful to the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for those," the second statement said. "We take pride in celebrating the 4th of July to express our gratitude to those men and women and honor the country we live in."
However, some who supported the original statement did speak out, saying they hit the head on the nail initially and shouldn’t apologize.
Others asked if the original author of the first Tweet had been fired yet.
Pushaw also responded to the apology, saying, "this is what happens when you elect Democrats, you guys… they do not have the same view of America as we do."
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