The gay dad of a toddler that appears in a viral video has slammed Donald Trump for lying and promoting a doctored version of the clip.
The original version of the video became a viral sensation last year when it showed Maxwell, who is black, and his friend Finnegan, who is white, running down a street toward one another to hug. The clip became an uplifting symbol of hope for love and American unity.
Leave it to Donald Trump, however, to mock and manipulate that hope for his own purposes. This month, he tweeted out a doctored version of the video which showed Maxwell running away from Finnegan. The doctored video also used the CNN logo and fake headline “Terrified toddler runs from racist baby.” Twitter eventually flagged the tweet as deceptive and eventually took down the video per the request of Maxwell’s dad.
Now Michael Cisneros, the father of Maxwell, has gone public with his grievances. He’s also called lawyers to the case.
“We were hurt, saddened, and felt nauseous and wanted to vomit,” Cisneros told The Advocate. “A video showing love, unity, and friendship that has inspired love and hope to millions was now doctored to further hate and racism. It was just heartbreaking to see.”
Related: This wonderful same-sex couple just became the most famous gay parents in the world
“The fact that they were our boys made it so much worse,” Cisneros continued. “We immediately took action. We will do whatever we can, whatever is needed, to protect our children from this or anything else that attempts to bring them harm.”
Twitter has since banned Logan Cook, also known by the moniker “Carpe Donktum,” the creator of the doctored video. Two law firms have also begun to draft filings against Cook and Donald Trump as well as the Trump 2020 campaign.
“The fact that Twitter and Facebook disabled this fake video within 24 hours of President Trump and his campaign tweeting it, coupled with Twitter permanently banning Cook, is very strong evidence that a jury will likely find that all of these people broke the law by using this video as advertisement and political propaganda,” attorney Ven Johnson said in a statement.
“It really breaks our hearts that we even have to think about these necessary conversations, as I’m sure it does with any parent of a black child,” Cisneros said of the debacle. “No child should have to be taught that the people that are supposed to protect them are also the people that they should fear due to the color of their skin. It makes them feel less than, insecure, hurt, and I’m sure angry. It saddens me just saying these things to you. I fear for the time when we will have to start these talks with Maxwell.”
Cisneros has also said he would like an apology from Trump, but does not expect to receive one. But don’t let it get you down: just watch the original video for a little pick-me-up.
A video of two toddlers running to give each other a big hug has gotten a lot of love. The boys, 26-month-old Maxwell and 27-month-old Finnegan, have known each other for more than a year. https://t.co/UdqB8xxUsH pic.twitter.com/2MuFYGORGD
— CNN (@CNN) September 11, 2019
The big sky
Every day Trump reaches a new low……… and he started of in the Mariana Trench.
fur_hunter
NOW……..THAT is funny! Thank you.
Black Pegasus
Sorry but the video of those adorable little toddlers had been circulating for quite a long time before Trump used it in a tweet. Yes Trump is a clown but a lawsuit? Really brah? That’s a waste of the court’s time. lol
jackmv2
Wow really dude. If these were your kids you would not do anything? Wow glad these two boys have real fathers that will stand up for them.
Jon in Canada
Where to begin with the idiocy you just displayed.
First, yes, the original video has around for awhile, but that’s not what the story or lawsuit is about is it? Honestly, did you even read the story?
Second, the video in question is a doctored video…let me repeat that in case you didn’t quite clue in….A DOCTORED VIDEO.
Third, bad enough that scumbags use doctored videos, but to use and doctor a video of toddlers? Seriously, if you can’t see why there’s anger and more than a little rage about this, you’re not someone to be taken seriously.
Finally, you’re trite attempt at concern trolling has been noted and deemed a miserable failure. Now, be a good vile inept creature of no value and catch yourself some COVID, ok? Toodles.
Kangol2
@Blackpegasus, do you mean the hateful, doctored video, or the original one, has been “circulating for months”? I hadn’t seen (and still haven’t) the slanderous one Don the Con retweeted, but where did you see it months ago? Just curious. Either way, the parents should sue; these are toddlers, after all, and misusing their images and libeling them is abusive.
Jboo
LOL @ Jon in Canada (et al) – It’s called satire. This was a publicly available video for which a release was signed. The parent(s) are publicly promoting their children’s image on social media without consent – that’s the disgusting issue here. They’re children – not commodities.
Your issue is you don’t like republicans, plain and simple. Stop pretending it’s about anything else.
Cam
Really? Well people have said Melania is a gold digger and a prostitute for ages, so I guess you don’t mind if somebody put out an ad saying that right troll?
TheDefiler
JBOO, cf. the definition of “satire” as “the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices”. Where is the stupidity or vice in the original? “Mockery, ridicule, derision, scorn, sarcasm,” maybe. “Satire,” no way. “Your vocabulary is poor but apparently sufficient for your ideas.” Norman MacClean, subject of “A River Runs Thru it.”
jayceecook
The two little boys have an Instagram account which is very adorable. The families post photos of their adventures together. If you ever need to sanitize your brain from the noxious tripe going on in our country take a peak. Better than injecting bleach.
Creamsicle
Considering the edit is an intentional false depiction, couldn’t this be considered libel/slander against the children? Didn’t Trump say he wanted to open up libel laws so that liars can be sued for “lots of money?”
lambchopp59
Also utilizing your image or that of your children without prior consent. They have a strong case.
Denny98
I’ve been watching this video clip of Maxwell & Finnegan every morning for over two months to put a smile on my face. It still works.
This should probably be played during every morning police meeting in America.
GayEGO
Trump should be sued, he will lose more votes!
phoenix69
Lol. No. No he won’t. He’s got this gays vote ??????????
My2CentsWorth
You are wrong. The folks who think that Trump is the best president ever, or at least equal to Reagan, will vote for him if he went on a shooting spree or took dumps on the front lawn of the White House. A shooting spree might attract more voters. These are the same folks who were passing around stuff expressing their disgust of the what the Obamas were doing to the White House.
Itsonlythetruth
Trump and his merry band of misfits have no shame. They sully anything they touch.
Trump and his trashy wife are quick to throw a fit if one mentions their son. Typical Republican do as I say not what I do. November 3rd can’t come soon enough.
phoenix69
No crap. Trump 2020 baby. ?????????
phoenix69
Lol nothing will stop this queen from voting Trump. Here’s hoping Colby Keller votes red again too. I know how it steamed the queen’s last time. Lol
Polaro
We all hate you, just so your smug self knows that.
Cam
Awww, Troll, you tried to say something clever but all you did was show how bankrupt the GOP is. This is half the platform of the Republican party.
One half is looting Tax dollars to hand to CEOs and the other half is “U, gee, vote Republican because it will piss off “the left”.
Thanks for showing that the Republican party has no platform anymore sweetie!
jmg619
It’s obviously doctored, they couldn’t even spell “toddler” right. Talk about needing spellcheck. Lol.