A mass shooting occurred at a prominent LGBT Orlando night club early Sunday morning. At least 50 people have been killed and at least 53 have been injured in one of the largest such tragedies in American history.
As officials continue to investigate the incident, prominent politicians are speaking out about the events. Unsurprisingly, a majority of those in government who’ve made public statements have omitted the fact that the venue, Pulse, celebrates minorities and the LGBT community and had been hosting a Latin night when the shooting occurred.
The White House issued a memo on Sunday morning stating that President Obama had been briefed about the tragedy.
JUST IN: President Obama has been briefed on Orlando nightclub shooting, White House says. pic.twitter.com/aJEBni7Kus
— ABC News (@ABC) June 12, 2016
Regarding current presidential candidates, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump was one of the first to issue a statement, followed by Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
Really bad shooting in Orlando. Police investigating possible terrorism. Many people dead and wounded.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016
Woke up to hear the devastating news from FL. As we wait for more information, my thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 12, 2016
It’s particularly telling that Trump would merely cite facts rather than express condolences regarding the shooting. Whereas former GOP candidate Marco Rubio appeared to put aside his staunch, anti-LGBT policies in the face of a mass shooting, the Donald simply called the event “really bad.”
Late Sunday morning, Trump issued two follow-up tweets appearing to use more buzzwords and push his opaque policies rather than sending his regards to those affected by the tragedy.
Horrific incident in FL. Praying for all the victims & their families. When will this stop? When will we get tough, smart & vigilant?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016
Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016
Florida Gov. Rick Scott was traveling to Orlando on Sunday morning and similarly echoed Rubio’s statements of sadness and shock. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has also expressed his condolences.
Our prayers are with those injured and killed early this morning in horrifying act of terror in Orlando.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 12, 2016
My prayers are with the victims’ families & all those affected by the shooting in Orlando. We will devote every resource available to assist
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) June 12, 2016
We pray for those brutally attacked in Orlando. While we must learn more about the attacker, the victims & families will not be forgotten.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) June 12, 2016
Bernie Sanders, the only candidate to appear on Sunday morning political talk shows, spoke in depth about the incident on NBC’s Meet The Press.
“It’s horrific, it’s unthinkable,” says @BernieSanders on #OrlandoShooting this morning on @MeetThePress. #MTP #Orlando
— NBC News PR (@NBCNewsPR) June 12, 2016
“I’ve gotta tell you, 25 years ago, I believed in this country that we should not be selling automatic weapons which are designed to kill people,” Sanders continues. “We’ve got to do everything that we can on top of that to make sure that guns do not fall into the hands of people who should not have them: criminals, some people who are mentally ill. So, that struggle continues.”
Update 11:55am CT, June 12: This piece has been updated to include follow-up responses from Donald Trump.
Update 2:15pm CT, June 12: Clinton and Sanders have issued full statements regarding the Orlando shooting.
https://twitter.com/RadioDexter/status/742066441474740229
All Americans are horrified, disgusted and saddened by the horrific atrocity in Orlando. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/ci5kxXKSyZ
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 12, 2016
The president has similarly spoken about the matter, addressing the American public Sunday afternoon.
president obama’s full remarks on #OrlandoShooting [rush transcript by yrs truly] pic.twitter.com/C08Gy37JdU
— April Siese (@ayetalian) June 12, 2016
