Former Canadian prime minister Kim Campbell has caused a considerable degree of controversy online, after tweeting publically that she is “rooting” for Hurricane Dorian to hit Donald Trump’s Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago. In a series of posts beginning on Wednesday, Campbell explained how she hoped the Trump’s resort would be affected by the imminent hurricane, so that it might “shake up his climate change denial!”

Mar-a-Lago is a busy Florida resort, located in Palm Beach and owned by U.S. President Donald Trump. Campbell's tweets hoping for a “direct hit” on the resort were posted on Wednesday, just hours before the state declared an emergency ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which has the potential to strengthen into a serious Category 4 storm by early next week. Mar-a-Lago is located directly within the storm’s projected path.

Campbell, who was the prime minister of Canada for just four months in 1993, wrote in a now-deleted tweet, “I’m rooting for a direct hit on Mar a Lago!” The comment was shared alongside a retweeted message about Hurricane Dorian’s predicted path through Palm Beach.

Campbell went on to tweet about the storm, making reference to Mar-a-Lago’s original owner, heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. "Well, we will see if Mrs. Post’s design can stand up to the assault!" Campbell said, adding, "I know Palm Beach well and am sorry if it gets a big hit.”

The tweet was met with mixed reactions from both the Canadian and US public. That said, the majority of people condemned Campbell’s Twitter comments, noting that places like Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago are often densely populated with families and innocent people, and to wish strong hurricanes upon them was “disgusting.”

In one tweet, someone wrote, “From the woman wishing a direct hit on a resort which would result in the death of many and see hundreds unemployed. She wishes for death because of differing politics. Disgusting.”

Another added, “Your insensitivity towards suffering, not only makes you a lousy politician, but also, reveals that you are a worthless human being. 21 million people live in Florida. You know 2/3 of Canada’s. Hence my snark.”

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reaction to Campbell’s tweets, there were a number of people who thought the ex-prime minister’s comments were justified, particularly as the Trump administration continues to deny climate change. One Twitter user wrote, “It's not like the current white house occupant takes satisfaction at an opponent's misfortune right?”

Another added, “Agreed. He's a CHILD who will keep denying the dangers of pollution & climate change until it impacts him DIRECTLY. A lot of us in FL are praying for his Karma to be delivered sooner than later, before he kills us all. We can't even drink the water here loaded with poison.”

By Friday, Campbell had deleted her first inflammatory tweet, writing a new post to say, “I have deleted my tweet about the hurricane & Mar a Lago and sincerely apologize to all it offended. It was intended as sarcasm-not a serious wish of harm. Throwaway lines get a life of their own on Twitter. I shd know better. Mea culpa.”

Hurricane Dorian is currently heading towards Florida, slowing down on its way. According to the weather watchdog, a slow-moving storm means “an increased risk of a prolonged, drawn-out event of strong winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rainfall,” in the state.