Twitter Explodes With Criticism of Obama After He Called Four Dead Americans in Benghazi 'Not Optimal

Almost immediately after pool reports indicated that President Barack Obama called the deaths of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi "not optimal" during the taping of "The Daily Show," social media exploded with outrage over the president's remarks.

The backlash was almost instantaneous -- and it was brutal. The clumsy phrase from Obama gave birth to the #NotOptimal hashtag on Twitter, which was trending nationwide as of 7:30 p.m. ET.

(Source: Twitter)

Here are some of the best tweets we could find:

Lying to 70 million Americans about Benghazi on national tv.#Notoptimal

— Justen Charters (@JustenCharters) October 18, 2012

#NotOptimal $5.5 trillion of new debt, 23 million unemployed or underemployed, declining real incomes, anemic economic growth.

— Ken Gardner (@kesgardner) October 18, 2012

Obama called 4 dead Americans "bumps in the road." Now: #notoptimal

— Bill Hobbs (@billhobbs) October 18, 2012

Barack Obama's entire presidency. #notoptimal

— Brady Cremeens (@brady_cremeens) October 18, 2012

Candy Crowley's fact checking skills. #notoptimal

— Brittany(@iamBryttaknee) October 18, 2012

The incumbent president of the United States reduced to running for reelection on Big Bird and binders. #notoptimal

— Sunny (@sunnyright)

October 18, 2012

I'm guessing Obama moved on to talk about how you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs? Class act, that guy. #NotOptimal

— Ben Howe (@BenHowe) October 18, 2012

Saying you have complete confidence in Holder DESPITE #fastandfurious? #notoptimal

— Skeetz (@maryclimer) October 18, 2012

14% black unemployment, 25%+ youth unemployment. Food, energy, gas prices skyrocketing w/o a real economic boom: #NotOptimal

— Me not You (@CyaCrazyCA)

October 18, 2012

I suppose #NotOptimal is an upgrade from #BumpsInTheRoad so we are see progress.

— drafter75 (@drafter75) October 18, 2012