The hashtag “Bye Tiffany” spiked on Twitter on October 15 after a left-leaning political action committee released a video slamming Tiffany Trump for celebrating her 27th birthday in Miami. The clip criticized President Donald Trump’s younger daughter’s party as insensitive amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Many commenters on social media were quick to share the #ByeTiffany hashtag along with stories about how COVID-19 has impacted their own families. Others came to Tiffany Trump’s defense, arguing that she was not breaking any laws. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order last month allowing bars and restaurants to operate at 100 percent capacity.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Political Ad Was Released by Meidas Touch, a Self-Proclaimed Progressive SuperPAC
The video criticizing Tiffany Trump’s birthday celebration was released by Meidas Touch. The political action committee was created by brothers Ben, Brett and Jordan Meiselas. They described the organization on its website: “Created in quarantine by three brothers, MeidasTouch is a progressive, next-generation SuperPAC staffed solely by three siblings (and lifelong Democrats) with the primary goal of defeating Donald Trump in 2020.”
The Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political donations and expenditures by campaigns, reports that Meidas Touch has received more than $1 million in contributions from individual donors since its inception. The group has nearly half a million followers on Twitter.
The Tiffany Trump video was posted to Twitter just before 1 p.m. on October 15. Within two hours, the clip had been viewed nearly 600,000 times. It has since been shared on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok.
The viral video jumps back and forth between scenes from the Miami party and clips of newscasters talking about social distancing, families having to cancel important events like weddings and businesses going out of business.
Meidas Touch argued that Trump’s birthday bash represented a “lack of empathy” as families across the United States continue to battle the coronavirus. The group wrote in part on the YouTube channel:
You sacrifice while the Trumps celebrate. There is nothing more disturbing than Trump families delight and decadence in the death and suffering of Americans. It’s not simply a lack of compassion or empathy. It’s an affirmative revelry in the despair on Americans. We saw this on display as Trump dances to the YMCA at super-spreader COVID rallies this week. We also saw this as Tiffany Trump’s lavish birthday party this week in Miami was posted on social media where she was seen wearing a sea captain hat, popping champagne and running up thousands dollar tabs of Sushi.
Tiffany Trump Spent at Least 2 Days in Miami for an Early Birthday Celebration
Trump turned 27 on October 13. She celebrated a couple of days early with a visit to Miami. According to Page Six, Trump and her friends visited Komodo, a popular sushi restaurant, on Sunday, October 11. Her boyfriend Michael Boulos was there, along with Papi Steak partner David Einhorn.
The group later moved on to another establishment called Kiki on The River. Access Hollywood and TMZ published videos from the festivities that were initially shared on social media. The clips show restaurant workers surrounding the table holding sparklers, flags and champagne bottles. A few workers can be seen wearing masks but not all of them. It’s unclear whether Trump’s table was at least 6 feet away from other tables.
Page Six cited an “insider” who explained, “Tiffany was in great spirits as the life of the party while sipping Dom Perignon and posing for pictures with friends.”
The following evening, Trump had dinner at Einhorn’s Papi Steak restaurant, where he served her a large birthday cake. The cake was decorated with pictures of Trump, including one alongside her father. Einhorn shared a photo of him and Trump on Instagram and wrote, “Happy Birthday princess 👸🏼 have the best day ever.” Trump’s mother, Marla Maples, added in the comments, “Thank you for making my little girls birthday so special!”
Restaurants in Miami-Dade Are Permitted to Operate Above 50% Capacity if Tables Are Placed 6 Feet Apart
Getty Patrons pack a bar to have drinks on the first day of full capacity seating is allowed on September 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida.
Florida’s governor signed an executive order on September 25 that immediately allowed restaurants across the state to operate at 100% capacity. He cited statistics showing that the number of coronavirus hospitalizations had dropped substantially from the July peak as part of his reasoning.
As CNN reported at the time, the executive order also suspended fines for people who had violated coronavirus-related regulations such as local mask mandates. DeSantis stressed during a news conference, “I think we need to get away from trying to penalize people for social distancing. All these fines we’re going to hold in abeyance and hope that we can move forward in a way that’s more collaborative.”
But Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez expressed hesitation about fully lifting all safety-related regulations. In a statement following DeSantis’ executive order, Gimenez explained that the county’s 11 p.m. to 6 a.m curfew would remain in place. Citations issued for failure to wear a mask in public areas were suspended, and he said restaurants could operate only at 50% capacity.
But this ruling in Miami-Dade County has since been amended. According to the county website, restaurants are permitted to operate above 50% capacity if the venue can accommodate “a six-foot separation between tables.” The website adds that restaurants “can reach 100 percent capacity by including outdoor table service where practicable.” But there is a limit on large groups. “The maximum seating per table indoors or outside continues – no more than six people per table or up to 10 from the same household.”
The city of Miami also decided that the curfew would not be enforced until midnight, the Miami-Herald reported.
The country’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, expressed dismay about the loosening of regulations in Florida. He cautioned during an appearance on Good Morning America that the move could lead to another spike in coronavirus cases. “When you’re dealing with community spread, and you have the kind of congregate setting where people get together, particularly without masks, you’re really asking for trouble,” Fauci said. He stressed that he was not advocating for another shutdown, but called for people to continue to follow safety measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing.
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