When a Texas county sheriff told President Donald Trump Tuesday that a state senator was not being accommodating with some of the legislation he’d introduced, Trump suggested he reveal his name, joking that it would “destroy his career.”

Since every Trump critic in the world has an uncanny way of reading his intentions, of course, it was twisted into this:

Sheriff tells Trump that state senator is doing something he doesn’t like Trump: “Do you want to give his name? We’ll destroy his career.” pic.twitter.com/75y3t9zc54 — Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) February 7, 2017

While meeting with representatives of the National Sheriff’s Association at the White House, Rockwall County Sheriff Harold Evensong complained that an unnamed state senator had introduced legislation that would make asset forfeiture of accused criminals more difficult.

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“We’ve got a state senator in Texas that was talking about introducing legislation to require conviction before we could receive that forfeiture money,” Evensong said.

“Can you believe that?” Trump put in.

“And I told him that the cartel would build a monument to him in Mexico if he could get that legislation passed,” the sheriff added.

“Who is the state senator?” the president asked. “Do you want to give his name? We’ll destroy his career.”

Everyone in the room laughed, and Evensong didn’t provide the senator’s name, indicating that he and everyone else were aware that Trump had cracked a joke.

Nonetheless, the liberal press latched onto the president’s statement like a drowning man to a life ring.

“’We’ll destroy his career’: Trump offers help after sheriff complains about Texas lawmaker who wants to restrict civil asset forfeiture,” shouted Salon in its headline.

“‘We’ll Destroy His Career’: Trump Reportedly Threatens Action Against State Senator,” screamed Mediate.

“Trump: ‘We’ll Destroy His Career,'” proclaimed MSM.com.

“Trump gets laughs when he offers to ‘destroy’ a Texas state senator’s career,” CNBC reported, implying that Trump was serious and everyone laughed at how great the idea was.

And the UK’s Independent tweeted:

Donald Trump casually promises to destroy man’s career https://t.co/A6fFZvOMz2 — The Independent (@Independent) February 7, 2017

It wasn’t until you read the actual article that you realized it was all a joke. After CNBC’s Steve Kopeck posted the story, social media went ballistic.

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@SteveKopack @thegarance when do the midnight raids begin and do I need to buy a pitchfork or will one be provided? — Fitzpatrick O’Magpie (@FitzOMagpie) February 7, 2017

@SteveKopack WHAT IN THE FRESH HELL — Nicole Schuman (@Buffalogal) February 7, 2017

@claseur @SteveKopack brick throwing and arson is chilling. This is brass knuckles politics. — Wayne Black (@Zaurak77) February 7, 2017

And the Independent’s tweet received similar comments.

@darlene913 @Independent I think he’s doing a pretty good job of that on his own. He’s his own worst enemy. ? — Agape (@anathymadevice) February 7, 2017

@Independent This statement sums up the vindictive, braggadocios, narcissistic man, DT #whineylittlebitch — MS Blue (@mellieruth54) February 7, 2017

@Independent we the people will destroy your presidential rein with your impeachment criminal trials of the administration !!! — Anthony Nicholson (@nastynick6976) February 7, 2017

If the readers would get beyond the headlines and read what was actually said, there’d be a whole lot less division.