After 49 Muslims are Murdered, Trump Tweets Link to Anti-Muslim Website

Last updated on March 17th, 2019 at 03:43 pm

After scores of Muslims were murdered in a terrorist attack in New Zealand, Donald Trump mindlessly tweeted out a link to the anti-Muslim Breitbart News website. There was no other comment in the tweet, nor was there an explanation for why the president tweeted the link to Breitbart, a news organization formerly run by Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

The shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand left 49 people dead. It was live-streamed on Facebook, and the gunman apparently posted a manifesto on the far-right-friendly 8chan forum and set up other social media accounts to promote the screed ahead of the massacre.

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Late last night, after the shooting had been initially reported by the media Trump tweeted out the link to the Breitbart homepage where the lead story at that point was an article highlighting disgraced New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik’s claims about special counsel Robert Mueller.

Since Trump’s tweet offered no commentary on the link to Breitbart’s homepage, millions of people were left scratching their heads. The website often features inflammatory content about Islam and Muslims, and other racist topics. The right-wing site eventually changed its lead story to the Christchurch shooting long after Trump posted his tweet.

Since Donald Trump and Breitbart are known for their support of white supremacists, and their attacks on Muslims, many other Twitter users were appalled at what the president did.

One person tweeted:

“I am a New Zealander watching news coverage of a mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch. The person who did this is a white supremacist who was probably influenced by the crap spewed by hate sites like Breitbart. YOU are part of the problem for the rise in hate crime.”

Another Trump critic tweeted:

“You’re just out here plugging Breitbart for no reason whatsoever? Cool. That’s a totally normal, presidential thing to do. Especially in the midst of what’s happening in Christchurch. Which is a city in NZ by the way, not a place of worship where you inexplicably sign bibles.”

And a very appalled person in New York tweeted:

“What a predictably disgusting a**hole you are.

Our friends in Christchurch, New Zealand are reeling from a terror attack by a Radical White Terrorist, and AGAIN you say nothing.

Instead, you post the fake news hate rag, Breitbart.

YOU. ARE. FILTH.”

One young woman took to social media to express sentiments shared by millions of other people:

“No words of condolences?

No words of mourning?

No words of support?

No words of condemning the attack?

Just a useless link to a conspiracy website that has been proven to push lies and right wing extremism.

You make me sick.”

Once again Donald Trump has failed America and the world. At a time when we seek solace and leadership he has fanned the flames of racism and bigotry. The time has come for Donald Trump to be replaced as President of the United States.

Leo Vidal

I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.