Donald Trump reacts dramatically to Fred and Rose West retweet prank by threatening legal action

The US business magnate says ‘maybe I’ll sue’ after mistakenly sharing a loving tribute to Fred and Rose West

Donald Trump said he had received tweets and letters in support of his huge new sign (Reuters) (Reuters)

Donald Trump failed to see the funny side of a prank played on him, which caused him to mistakenly retweet a loving tribute to serial killers Fred and Rose West.

Twitter user and "failed comedian" @Feckhead (you’d have thought the name may rung a few warning bells but apparently not), appealed to Trump’s humanity as he asked him to retweet a picture of the couple "in their memory".

"Hi @realDonaldTrump. My parents who passed away always said you were big inspiration. Can you pls RT for their memory?" @feckhead asked.

Trump – who is known for resharing charity appeals on Twitter – happily obliged thus inadvertently offering his sympathies with the infamous British murderers.

Trump’s name soon began trending on Twitter as social media users merrily pointed out his mistake. He has reacted by threatening legal action against the "jerk" who dared make a fool out of him.

The notorious couple Fred and Rose West were found guilty of torturing and raping scores of young girls, and killing 11 of them, between the years 1973 and 1979. Their victims included Fred’s stepdaughter, who Rosemary murdered while Fred was in prison for theft.

The pair were finally charged in 1994. Fred took his own life before the case went to trial. Rosemary was found guilty of 10 counts of murder in November 1995 and is currently serving a life sentence.