Bill Kristol Tweet Sets Off Wave Of Identical Replies: ‘Delete Your Account’

In this image released by HBO, host Bill Maher, right, talks with Margaret Hoover, left, and Bill Kristol, center, during "Real Time With Bill Maher," in Los Angeles Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/HBO, Janet Van Ham)
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A seemingly-innocuous tweet from conservative pundit and recent Twitter-convert Bill Kristol inspired a wave of hostile responses on Monday morning.

Kristol’s tweet linking to a new podcast released by his magazine, The Weekly Standard, instantly began garnering a wave of replies, all bearing the same message:

“Delete your account.”

Since joining the social media platform last month, Kristol has taken flak over his hot takes and unapologetic support for the Iraq War.

Some argued Kristol had already mastered the technique of “trolling,” Internet parlance for baiting opponents with intentionally obtuse or inflammatory nonsense.

By about noon on the East Coast, upwards of 100 users replied advising Kristol to delete his account. It remained unclear whether the wave of responses was coordinated or whether it was simply the contagious virality of the Internet.

It is possible that the pundit will never notice his online detractors; in October, Kristol told TPM he doesn’t pay attention to his replies.

“I’m following interesting and witty tweeters, and ignoring almost all the mentions and replies,” he said.

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