Trump gave a “statement” this morning. I tried to watch it but it’s too unbearable, watching him try to pretend to care, try to pretend to be shocked and sad, try to pretend to be an adult.
Trump issued a statement on the attacks in El Paso and Dayton in which he blamed violent video games and mental health-care, among other things, for mass shootings.
Condemning the “barbaric slaughters,” Trump called on the nation to reject racism. “In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy,” Trump said.
But he then pivoted to any number of other subjects — including violent video games, access to mental-heath care and the federal death penalty.
Criticism was prompt.
Trump’s statement on the shootings was quickly criticized for downplaying the role of white supremacy and lenient gun laws.
Although the president called on America to “condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy,” he avoided any mention of his own role in fueling such rhetoric. One political scientist put it this way:
Brian Klaas✔@brianklaas
Sure, it’s good to finally use the words. But let’s be clear: no figure in modern American history has done more to encourage and embolden these hateful ideologies than Donald Trump. It defined his campaign. It has defined his presidency. A reluctant sentence changes none of that https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1158380246749650944 …
Jim Sciutto✔@jimsciutto
“In one voice our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy”, says Trump. He also calls the violence “domestic terrorism”. These are both firsts since the shootings.
His focus on violent video games and mental-health care also enraged commentators who emphasized that Trump avoided outlining any specific action he would take to reform gun laws.
Democratic presidential candidate Tim Ryan, who represents Ohio’s 13th District in the House, slammed Trump for confusing Dayton with Toledo in his statement this morning.
As Trump was concluding his remarks, Trump accidentally offered his condolences to the victims in Toledo, which is roughly 150 miles from the shooting site in Dayton.
“It just shows the level of disengagement,” Ryan told CNN, arguing that Trump’s mistake reflected his “diminished mental capacity” to deal with America’s pressing problems. “It’s a slap in the face to the people here in Dayton.”
And Toledo even sounds Spanish (because it’s also the name of the ancient capital of Castile), but is anybody giving Trump points for sounding inclusive?
And Toledo even sounds Spanish (because it’s also the name of the ancient capital of Castile), but is anybody giving Trump points for sounding inclusive?
…no. no they are not.
Tomayto, Toledo.