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Why so many people were tweeting about ‘marshall law’

Marco Rubio tweeted about Marshall law and it sort of backfired

By Herb Scribner Herb Scribnerhscribner@deseretnews.com
SHARE Why so many people were tweeting about ‘marshall law’
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Mark J. Terrill, AP

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio wanted to stop the spread of misinformation about the country going into martial law — only his tweet became the story.

What’s going on?

  • Rubio tweeted Monday morning about the spread of misinformation and rumors that the state of Florida would go into a state of martial law.
  • Rubio said: “Please stop spreading stupid rumors about marshall law. COMPLETELY FALSE. We will continue to see closings & restrictions on hours of non-essential businesses in certain cities & states. But that is NOT marshall law.”

Social media reacted to the news:

  • Twitter users immediately pointed out that Rubio likely meant to type “martial law,” which refers to “military government, involving the suspension of ordinary law,” according to one quick Google search.
  • In fact, Merriam Webster shared definitions on Twitter.