Beto O'Rourke links 'racist' Trump to El Paso shootings
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke on Saturday blamed Donald Trump in part for the deadly El Paso shootings that killed 20 people because he said the president's "racism" leads "to violence".
O'Rourke attacked the president when he was asked by an ABC News reporter if Trump had any responsibility for the shootings.
"Yes," O'Rourke flatly responded.
"We've had a rise in hate crimes every single one of the last three years, during an administration where you have a president who's called Mexicans rapists and criminals," said the former Texas congressman and El Paso native.
"He is a racist, and he stokes racism in this country," O'Rourke added." It does not just offend our sensibilities; it fundamentally changes the character of this country and it leads to violence."
#BREAKING I just asked @BetoORourke if @realDonaldTrump is at all responsible for today's mass shooting in #ElPaso He said yes and added that in his opinion, the President is indeed a racist. @abc7breaking@ABCpic.twitter.com/wA3iB3uLFN
— Michael Gordon KVIA ABC-7 (@MichaelGordonTV) August 4, 2019
There was no immediate response from the president.
Trump, who was at his New Jersey golf course, tweeted "heartfelt thoughts and prayers" to the "great people of Texas" Saturday night several hours after the late-morning shooting.
Today's shooting in El Paso, Texas, was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice. I know that I stand with everyone in this Country to condemn today's hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
....Melania and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the great people of Texas.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
Earlier, the president retweeted a USA Today headline noting that he "pledges full support for El Paso shooting victims."
'God be with you all': Trump pledges full support for El Paso shooting victims as lawmakers also grieve https://t.co/gISsidBeWr via @usatoday
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2019
Twitter critics were eager to remind Trump that he has done nothing about gun control — and that his attacks on immigrants and people of colour may have fuelled the violence.
I knew that "thoughts & prayers" had to show up somewhere.
Keep your worthless thoughts & prayers & listen to the voices of the American people!
The majority of Americans, ever Americans who own guns or like me, have owned guns in the past, want #GunControlNow!— Cheetahkit Dolcini (@CheetahkitD1) August 4, 2019
When did mass shootings become what Made America Great Again @realDonaldTrump? House Democrats have passed legislation to expand background checks to 10 days. Senate refuses to vote on. How are you going to try and spin this to be Democrats fault? My heart breaks for El Paso 🇺🇸❤️
— ♻️🇺🇸 Christopher Zullo (@ChrisJZullo) August 4, 2019
TRANSLATION:
'I'm issuing a standard, formal statement of concern about an incident stemming from systemic regulatory issues I have no intention of addressing. Now watch this putt.'— BookdiggerJim (@goodoldcatchy) August 4, 2019
— Cr Geier (@cr_geier) August 4, 2019
Their blood is on your hands.
— Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) August 4, 2019
Look who decided to check in
in-between golf and MMA. Neither you nor @FLOTUS have hearts. #ResignNow— Lbsmith (@lbsmith) August 4, 2019
Maybe you and the NRA can set up a fund to give $1000000 to each person you offer thoughts and prayers after our weekly mass shootings.
— When I said (@nowisaythis) August 4, 2019
Your fidelity to the NRA, whose contributions you appear to value more than American lives, gives Americans a clear picture of who you are. Your prayers are hypocritical, Mr. Trump, because you are asking God to clean up your mess, when God is calling you to act on gun violence.
— Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie (@RevChuckCurrie) August 4, 2019
- This article first appeared on HuffPost
