David Leavitt has been widely condemned for posting a joke about the bombing at Ariana Grande’s concert (Picture: Twitter/David_Leavitt)

A US reporter has caused outrage after sharing jokes about the Manchester terror attack on Twitter.

After seeing that the incident was trending on the social media site, David Leavitt decided to share his thoughts.

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In his tweet, Leavitt first acknowledging that there were ‘multiple fatalities’, before taking aim at Ariana Grande.

He wrote: ‘MULTIPLE CONFIRMED FATALITIES at Manchester Arena. The last time I listened to Ariana Grande I almost died too.’


The bombings have claimed the lives of 22 and injured 59, with children among the dead.

The ‘sick’ tweet (Picture: Twitter/David_Leavitt)

But Leavitt’s tweet was not as well received as he may have hoped. He quickly received a barrage of angry criticism, with many suggesting he delete his account in as further details of the tragedy emerged.

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He then tweeted his followers to ask, ‘Too soon?’ – and thousands replied, mostly with outrage.



He later apologised saying: ‘Sorry 4 [sic] offending. Didn’t realise the magnitude of the tragedy. I always make stupid jokes about whatever’s trending. Condolences 2 [sic] families.’

His apology, posted before he made yet another joke on Twitter, comparing himself to Donald Trump (Picture: Twitter/David_Leavitt)

Mr Leavitt later deleted his original tweet but continued to joke with his followers.

He wrote: ‘Now I have a small insight of what Donald Trump must deal with on a regular basis.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Mr Leavitt for comment.



Timeline of the Manchester attack Doors open at Manchester Arena Concert-goers arrive at Manchester Arena in the north of the city centre. US pop singer Ariana Grande is on the bill for a sell-out concert. Fans, many of them young teenage girls, excitedly share selfies as they wait for the show to begin.

Ariana Grande takes the stage The show begins at 7.30pm. After a performance from support act BIA, an American rapper, Grande takes the stage.

A huge bang is heard As the show finishes, thousands of fans begin to file out of the arena's four exits.A 'huge bomb-like bang' is heard at the arena.Witnesses describe being knocked from their feet by an explosion and seeing dozens of injured, possibly dead, people including children lying on the floor. Others describe panic as concert-goers run for exits.

The public are told to stay away from the scene Police urge people to stay away from the area as responders deal with a 'serious incident'.

Police RECEIVE more than 240 calls Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. Dozens of emergency services vehicles stream into the area.

Police confirm the blast caused deaths Police say there have been a number of confirmed fatalities.

Police confirm death toll and reveal a terror investigation Police confirm 19 people are dead and around 50 others injured following the suspected explosion. Officers also announce the attack is being treated as a terrorist incident.

Controlled explosion A controlled explosion is carried out on a suspicious item in the Cathedral Gardens area near Manchester Arena. It is later confirmed to be abandoned clothing.

Theresa May acknowledges attack Prime Minister Theresa May says her thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected in 'what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack'.

Ariana Grande says she's 'broken' Shortly before 4am Ariana Grande tweets that she is 'broken', adding: 'From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry.'

Death toll rises to 22, police reveal GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins gives a statement. He says the death toll has risen to 22, including children, with 59 injured. He confirms police are treating the attack as a terrorist incident and believe it was carried out by a suicide bomber detonating an improvised explosive device.

Trump says the Manchester bomber was an 'evil loser' Shortly after 9am US President Donald Trump expresses his 'deepest condolences' and calls the terrorists responsible 'evil losers'.

Arrest made following cobra meeting At around 11am, after chairing a Cobra meeting, Theresa May says the attacker has been identified by security services, but does not release details. She says the 'callous' attack was 'among the worst terrorism we have experienced in the United Kingdom'.Less than an hour later, GMP says it has arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester in connection with the incident.

The Queen releases a statement The Queen releases a statement expressing her 'deepest sympathy' to all those affected by the explosion, adding that the whole nation had been shocked by the 'death and injury'.

Isis claim responsibility Before 1pm Islamic State claims responsibility for the atrocity.In the early afternoon names of the victims begin to emerge, including Georgina Callander, and eight-year-old Saffie Roussos.Just after 2pm GMP say they have executed warrants at addresses in Whalley Range, and one in Fallowfield where they carried out a controlled explosion.

Vigils held for Manchester attack victims In the early evening thousands of people gather for a vigil in Manchester's Albert Square. In a show of defiance they declare they will not be 'beaten' or 'intimidated' in the wake of the terror attack. Elsewhere vigils attract hundreds to city centres across nation.

Bombing suspect named by police Greater Manchester Police confirm the suicide bombing suspect is believed to be 22-year-old Salman Abedi.

Terror threat raised to critical The UK's terror threat level is increased from severe critical, indicating a further attack may be imminent. In a live address from Downing Street, the Prime Minister says it is possible that there is a 'wider group of individuals' responsible for the Manchester massacre. Operation Temperer, which allows military personnel to be deployed to support armed police officers, is now in force, Theresa May says.



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