'May God bless the people of Toledo'—Trump offers thoughts and prayers to wrong city

by Jen Hayden

Community

Monday, Aug. 05, 2019 Monday, Aug. 05, 2019 at 7:45:13am PDT

US President Donald Trump speaks alongside Vice President Mike Pence about the mass shootings from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC, August 5, 2019. - US President Donald Trump described mass shootings in Texas and Ohio as a 'crime against all of humanity' as he addressed the nation on Monday after the attacks that left in 29 people dead. 'These barbaric slaughters are... an attack upon a nation, and a crime against all of humanity,' he said. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

It’s been clear from day one of Trump’s first (and hopefully only) term in office that he is not up to the job. He’s worse: unprepared, incompetent, and completely untethered from the morals and values required for the role.

His complete lack of ethics were on display this morning as he tweeted what amounted to a defense of the El Paso and Dayton shooters, blaming the rage and violence of these young white men on “fake news.”

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!
Ã¢ÂÂ Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019

What makes that even sicker is the fact that the El Paso shooter released a manifesto/screed that echoed the very same language used over and over again by Donald Trump. The shooter referenced “fake news” and the “invasion” language Trump and Fox News regularly spew, language that has come directly from white nationalist publications and websites for decades. They’ve mainstreamed it.

As outrage continues to mount, Trump finally got before the cameras to offer words of solace and comfort to the nation. It was such a phony, transparent attempt at sounding presidential, something he is completely incapable of, even in times of national mourning.

He named the wrong city. He blessed the people of Toledo.

At the end of his remarks today, Trump says "may God bless the memory of those who perished in *TOLEDO* and may God protect them"

Seriously, you had ONE JOB pic.twitter.com/1ZC7EdVfr8
Ã¢ÂÂ Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 5, 2019

Maybe this was a preemptive blessing for the people of Toledo. After all, as long as Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and the rest of Republicans refuse to act on commonsense gun reforms to curb these national tragedies, Toledo may be next. Or Kansas City. Or Seattle. It’s an epidemic and a national emergency, and we must act.

Click here to add your name and tell the Senate enough is enough. Gun safety laws work. We demand a vote on real gun reform.