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Surge Desk

Mubarak Stepping Down: Twitter Sounds Off on the Momentous Event

Feb 11, 2011 – 1:00 PM
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Steven Hoffer

Steven Hoffer Contributor

For those of us who aren't in the streets of Cairo, there's always Twitter.

As 18 days of protests finally culminated in President Hosni Mubarak's resignation, the folks who labeled the historic event a "Twitter Revolution" are already breaking things down in real time.

Here's a quick round-up of instant reactions from top pundits, some of whom are asking the big question: What's next?


The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz weighs in:

Inspiring to watch crowds shout "Egypt is free!" as Mubarak finally steps down. But a military council is taking over? Is that freedom?less than a minute ago via web


As does The National's Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi:

Now the real hard work begins.less than a minute ago via web


Don't forget about ABC News' Senior White House correspondent Jake Tapper:

Also worth keeping in mind: cant find anyone in O admin who thinks whatever comes next will be better for U.S. interests than Mubarak wasless than a minute ago via TweetDeck



David Waldman, a contributing editor for Daily Kos and Congress Matters, has a funny take on the day's proceedings:

Egyptian people greet selves as liberators.less than a minute ago via TweetDeck


The Huffington Post's Sam Stein draws an unlikely association:

Mubarak and Gibbs leaving their jobs on the same day: coincidental?!?!? yeah, it is.less than a minute ago via TweetDeck


The New York Times' Brian Stelter reflects on a 21st-century uprising:

The revolution was televised, tweeted, Facebooked, YouTubed, and Xeroxed.less than a minute ago via web


And yet, Financial Times media editor Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson rains on Stelter's parade:

@brianstelter but I bet not a single person in Tahrir Square is thinking about social media right nowless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPad


And, of course, Twitter is quick with a few timely jokes:

President Mubarak finally steps down after Gawker publishes racy pictures of him they found on Egyptian Craigslist.less than a minute ago via Seesmic twhirl


Robocop trends just as Mubarak steps down. Coincidence? I think not.less than a minute ago via web



For More Surge Desk Egypt coverage, check out:
Sharm el-Sheikh: 5 Facts on Hosni Mubarak's Paradise Getaway
Tahrir Square Protesters Celebrate News of Mubarak's Resignation [LIVE VIDEO]

Was Mubarak Setting a Trap With Defiant Speech?

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Filed under: World, Surge Desk, Arab World Unrest

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