President Donald Trump on Sunday took partial credit for the rescue of several of the dozen young Thai soccer players who managed to get trapped in a flooded cave.

The U.S. is working very closely with the Government of Thailand to help get all of the children out of the cave and to safety. Very brave and talented people! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2018

Twitter, as is its wont, did not let the hypocrisy go unchecked.

A stream of derisive comments ridiculed the president for demonstrating no such concern for thousands of immigrant children who have been torn from their parents, and who have been housed in kennel-like cages and made to sleep on barren concrete floors.

What could be as moving and as dramatic as a #ThaiCaveRescue? What about showing that same love and determination to move heaven and earth for kids escaping their caves of violence in Central America? A plea for the children of God…everywhere. My column: https://t.co/EOSYCSqhrQ — Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) July 8, 2018

Like you, I'm thrilled about the Thai rescue going on now. Utilizing technology and expertise, and with a singular focus, they are reuniting these families.

So, what's our problem here? https://t.co/mTlE72vmpH — Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) July 8, 2018

Hope this rescue operation shows some people in my country how much better it is if you actually give a shit about other people, even "foreigners," value educated and trained experts and work together instead of only looking out for people who look like you. #ThaiCaveRescue — Amy Miller (@amymillerz) July 8, 2018

I can think of 3000 other kids much easier to get to and much closer than Thailand who would love some help from the US government to be reunited with their parents. https://t.co/zKTkX4WQCt — Travon Free (@Travon) July 8, 2018

The entire world as been riveted as efforts were underway Sunday to rescue the 12 boys, all members of a youth soccer team. The boys have been trapped for more than two weeks in the cavern, as waters have been rising from the monsoon rains. Many people posted their reactions to the high-tech rescue operation under the hashtag #ThaiCaveRescue.


The rescue was carried out with the United States still coming to terms with Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy, which has seen young children and infants torn from their parents and sometimes placed in deportation proceedings.

The administration meanwhile, has lost track of many of the parents — as well as the children — and it is uncertain when, if ever, they can be reunited.

Meanwhile, as CNN reported on Sunday, the rescue effort in Thailand has assembled divers and Navy Seal personnel from various countries including the United States and Thailand itself, which saw one elite diver die on Friday during the operation to save the boys.

The cable news channel said that experts and divers who took part in the daring rescue effort hailed from Australia, Europe, and Asia. Only the American leader was documented as claiming bragging rights for its success.