On the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, where more than 2,400 Americans were killed and more than 1,100 injured, Newt Gingrich took to Twitter where he seemingly heaped praise on Japan for its "professional brilliance" in the hours leading up to the deadly strike.
"December 7 is a good day to remember that the world is dangerous and shattering surprise is possible even when we have been warned," Gingrich tweeted shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. But he followed up the tweet with a much more provocative message.
"75 years ago the Japanese displayed professional brilliance and technological power launching surprises from Hawaii to the Philippines," Gingrich added.
The tweet from the former presidential candidate and loyal aide to President-elect Donald Trump didn't sit too well with others.
"This is a shameful think to post on Pearl Harbor day. 2,400 Americans lost their lives," one user replied.
Another person, who said his great-uncle died while defending his country, said "I guess he was no match for Japan's 'professional brilliance.'"
Yet one more person tweeted, "I bet you he likes heroes who don't get killed or captured."
That tweet was a reference to one of Trump's many controversial statements he made on the campaign trail, in which he said of Sen. John McCain's war hero status, "He's a hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured, OK?"
Gingrich supported Trump throughout much of the Republican presidential primary and has been rumored to be up for an appointment in Trump's administration, although no formal announcements have been made.
