Super Bowl: reaction as Trump congratulates wrong state

Donald Trump has been left red-faced after slipping up while congratulating Kansas City Chiefs in the wake of their victory in the Super Bowl.

Writing on Twitter, the US president congratulated the newly crowned NFL champions and the “Great State of Kansas” after the 31-20 victory.

The only problem being that the Chiefs are based in Kansas City, Missouri.

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“Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a great game and a fantastic comeback under immense pressure. We are proud of you and the Great State of Kansas and, in fact, the entire USA, so very well. Our Country is PROUD OF YOU!”, Trump wrote.

Although Trump deleted the tweet 12 minutes later and posted a corrected version, his error had already been noticed by a wide audience.

Claire McCaskill, a former Missouri senator, wrote: “It’s Missouri you stone cold idiot.” Comedian Matt Oswalt said Trump’s mistaken tweet was “shocking”, adding: “I can't believe Trump knew Kansas was located in the USA.”

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Judd Legum, a journalist, quipped that Trump's misinformation was really the fault of the deep state, writing: “Can't believe the Deep State put Kansas City in MISSOURI just to embarrass Trump.”

The former Lt. Governor of Maryland, Michael Steele, said of Trump’s error: “I got nothing for this one. #SimplyStupid.”

However, some Twitter users “sprung to Trump's defense”, reports the Daily Mail, pointing out that the Kansas City name could “easily be misunderstood”.

One user wrote: “In Trump's defense, I for sure thought that Kansas City was in Kansas and I've been watching NFL all my life.”

“I'm not a Trump fan,” another said, “but considering that Kansas City, Kansas, actually exists, him getting that wrong isn't as egregious as people are making it out to be.”

The Washington Post also offered a pinch of understanding to the president, adding: “His exuberance was understandable, given the exciting game.”

Kansas City Chiefs enjoyed their first Super Bowl win in 50 years after they came from 10 points behind to beat the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling clash in Miami.