Google searches for MS-13 spike after Trump’s State of the Union speech

Google searches for MS-13 spiked by more than 4,000 percent late Tuesday after President Trump’s first State of the Union address, in which he referenced the international criminal gang. 

Google Trends reported that searches for MS-13 rose by 4,650 percent after Trump’s address. 

4,650% spike in searches for #MS13 during #SOTU pic.twitter.com/2mrUrABZBH

— GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) January 31, 2018

Trump during his remarks recognizing two families from Long Island whose daughters had been killed by members of the gang. 

“Many of these gang members took advantage of glaring loopholes in our laws to enter the country as unaccompanied alien minors,” the president said. 

Democrats said the reference drew parallels between members of the notoriously violent gang and young immigrants who are protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. 

“MS-13 is an example of some of the worst of criminal gang behavior. To equate that with Dreamers and DACA was completely irresponsible and it was scapegoating and it was fearmongering and it was wrong,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said.

CNN commentator Van Jones also slammed the reference, saying Trump “selling sweet-tasting candy with poison in it” and accusing him of “smearing” Dreamers.

Google also saw spikes in searches for Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and “fact check.” 

+1,900% spike in searches for @SteveScalise #SOTU pic.twitter.com/IElE8QKraQ

— GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) January 31, 2018

+2,100% spike in searches for “fact check”#SOTU pic.twitter.com/sZkw7waDHA

— GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) January 31, 2018

Trump during his speech recognized the House majority whip, who was shot at a congressional baseball team practice last year, during the address, calling him “the legend from Louisiana.”

“Some trials over the past year touched this chamber very personally,” Trump said.

“With us tonight is one of the toughest people ever to serve in this House — a guy who took a bullet, almost died and was back to work three months later,” he said.