The New York Times was mocked by social media users on Friday after the paper tweeted out a question asking which was the greater threat to Guam: a nuclear bomb threat from North Korea or climate change?

What’s a greater threat to Guam? North Korea, or climate change? https://t.co/bPuBrFULC5 — New York Times World (@nytimesworld) August 11, 2017

ADVERTISEMENT

The tweet links to a story that warns heat waves and harsher storms and erosion could impact Guam's tourism industry, an important part of its economy.

“The island of Guam made rare headlines this week when North Korea, responding to blustery language from President Trump, threatened to fire four ballistic missiles into waters near the American territory’s shores,” reads the lead to the story. “Some Guam residents told reporters that they worried what might happen if North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, were actually to follow through.”

The story continues: “Scientists in Guam, however, say they have at least one other major threat in mind: climate change.”

The Twitter reaction to the New York Times' question was swift and mostly mocking.

I'm gonna go with the mentally unstable North Korean dictator with a nuclear weapon, but you do you. — Faizel Bham (@Faiz_Bham) August 11, 2017

Ignorance is the greatest threat of all... hence... the NYT is a far greater threat than either of these. U people are special. — Red West (@RedWest1) August 11, 2017

*mushroom cloud appears, guy pops up in the background*



"But . . . but . . . what about climate change?!" pic.twitter.com/ZqgopuSvfg — Macklin, Burt (@Gilly011) August 11, 2017

Neither, Guam tipping over is the greatest threat. pic.twitter.com/76B4BeExPT — DeplorableMe (@RobinSFBay) August 11, 2017

Journalism is dead. — Stevie (@StevieRenee3) August 11, 2017

That's rather like asking whether hailstones or Santa's reindeers are a greater threat to my roof tiles. — SophieWeir (@SummerBaySoph) August 11, 2017

I do believe the media have lost their ever loving minds — Joanna (@joannaad75) August 11, 2017

After the blowback, the Times sent a modified tweet removing the original question.

“North Korea’s missiles may be one threat to Guam, but scientists are warning of another: climate change," it reads.