Trump Slammed For Blaming The 'Fake News' Media, Immigration, And Mental Health Issues For White Terrorism Mass Shootings
In the wake of the back-to-back mass shootings that took place in El Paso and Dayton over the weekend, President Donald Trump has redirected blame towards the media, immigration, and mental health.
With at least 29 people dead and dozens injured from both shootings, which were carried out by two white men, President Trump blamed the “fake news” media for stoking anger and division in the country.
“The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country. Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!” he tweeted early Monday morning.
The president’s tweets also suggested introducing stronger background checks for gun purchases with new immigration laws.
“Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying his legislation with desperately needed immigration reform,” Trump tweeted.
He did not give any details on how the background checks would be linked to immigration reform.
While speaking to the press on Sunday, President Trump also said mental illness played a part in both shootings.
“This is also a mental illness problem,” Trump told reporters in New Jersey after the shootings. “These are people that are very, very seriously mentally ill.”
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In his first 100 days as president, Trump quietly signed a bill revoking an Obama policy requiring people receiving Social Security checks for mental illnesses and people deemed unfit to handle their own financial affairs be placed into the national background check database.
However, in the cases of El Paso and Dayton, it remains unclear if either gunman had a history of mental illness.
Many people on Twitter wish the president would condemn acts of white nationalist terrorism and stop fueling hateful attacks with his bigoted rhetoric.
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