Trump scored the debate's most retweeted tweet with a 2012 climate theory

It was ironic.
 By 
Peter Allen Clark
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Twitter exploded with commentary as the presidential candidates sparred in their first debate -- and one of them dominated the social media conversation with the most retweeted tweet.

Unfortunately, however, most of the retweets were probably ironic.

When the issue of climate change arose, Hillary Clinton brought up an old accusation against Donald Trump. Namely, that he doesn't believe in it and thinks a rival country invented it.

"Donald thinks that climate change is a hoax, perpetrated by the Chinese," Clinton said. "I think it's real."

"I did not," Trump quickly said. "I do not say that. I do not say that."

Fact checkers and social media explorers looked back down the long tunnel of Trump's past tweets and found one that says exactly what he denied on the debate stage.

Despite false claims that the Trump camp was trying to delete such past tweets, it's still online.

The official Twitter government and elections team responsible for official social media metrics found that Trump's tweet, which claimed that China created the concept of global warming, was the most retweeted tweet of the debates.

It's probably not the way that Trump hoped to establish social media dominance following the debate, but that's the way the 140 characters crumble.

BONUS VIDEO:

Mashable Image
Peter Allen Clark

I have done neat stuff all over these United States from sailing lessons on the Puget Sound to motorcycle maintenance on the backroads of upstate New York. My professional experience extends from newspaper reporting in the mountains of Eastern Oregon to fixing espresso machines throughout Kentucky. I also have kept a cat alive for 10 years.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Jimmy Kimmel uses a 10-year-old tweet to roast Trump
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage. An old tweet from Donald Trump is visible at the bottom of the screen.

Seth Meyers shares theory on why Trump attacked Venezuela
Seth Meyers on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers.'



Do you know ball? Inside the internet's most obsessive basketball debate.
A bunch of men with balls for heads discussing ball at a cocktail bar

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!