WASHINGTON: A top Chrysler executive had a very public, colorful go at Donald Trump on Twitter Thursday after the billionaire accused the auto giant of wanting to ship American jobs to China.
"Obama is a terrible negotiator. He bails out Chrysler and now Chrysler wants to send all Jeep manufacturing to China--and will!" Trump tweeted, repeating an already-denied claim made by Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney.
"You are full of shit!" Chrysler product design vice president Ralph Gilles said on his account in direct response to Trump's post -- a statement that went viral on the Twittersphere with nearly 2,000 retweets.
Gilles later apologized for his strongly-worded language. "But lies are just that, lies. Thanks for the support people," he wrote.
Trump has yet to respond.
Obama pushed through an $84 billion bailout of the US auto industry in 2009 despite objections from Republicans -- including Romney -- and the sector has since recovered.
The future of the auto industry has since become a key issue in the Midwest, particularly in Ohio, a critical swing state in the November 6 vote that is home to many people working in the car-making sector.
Jeep, which belongs to the Chrysler Group, has a strong presence in Ohio.
Gilles's statement was the latest public rebuke to hit Twitter as more and more officials and politicians take to the social network -- sometimes on the spur of the moment -- to condemn people or statements.
In another election-related Twitter shout-out Wednesday, the Russian foreign ministry strongly criticized the US voting process, prompting the US ambassador to respond forcefully.
"The US electoral system is decentralized, fragmented and obsolete," the ministry tweeted. To which Ambassador Michael McFaul retorted: "US elections=competition."
"In pres. race, opposition candidate raised millions, debated incumbent, on TV, & outcome uncertain," he tweeted.
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