‘Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA! Imagine a world where they build a wall to keep terrorists IN AMERICA!!!’
Rihanna has criticised President Donald Trump over his response to two mass shootings that took place in less than 24 hours in the US.
The first attack killed 20 people and injured a further 26. The white, male shooter wrote a white nationalist manifesto, published on extremist site 8chan prior to the terrorist attack at a Walmart store.
In response the first shooting, Trump tweeted:
“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….”
Another mass shooting occurred less than 24 hours later, outside a bar in Dayton, Ohio.
The Singer Slams The President
Rihanna slammed Trump on Instagram,
“Um… Donald, you spelt “terrorism” wrong! Your country had 2 terrorist attacks back to back hours apart leaving almost 30 innocent people dead.”
Authorities established on Sunday that the 21-year-old El Paso attacker will be tried as a domestic terrorist. He could also face federal hate crime charges.
Rihanna went on to link the attacks to another shooting which took place in California on July 28,
“This, just days after yet another terrorist attack in California, where a terrorist was able to LEGALLY purchase an assault rifle (AK-47) in Vegas, then drive hours to a food festival in Cali leaving 6 more people dead including a young infant baby boy!”
Tensions are high in the US, with these latest mass shootings again sparking calls for tougher gun-control laws.
“Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA! Imagine a world where they build a wall to keep terrorists IN AMERICA!!!
“My prayers and deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all the victims from Texas, California, and Ohio! I’m so sorry for your loss! Nobody deserves to die like this! NOBODY!”
Rihanna has previously protested against Trump’s travel ban, describing it as “devastating”:
Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) January 29, 2017
She has also reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to the President in response to her music being played at his rallies, stating, “Me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies”.
Celebrities Speak Out
Rihanna is not the only star who has spoken out about Trump on social media, with a number of celebrities making their thoughts known over the weekend.
Singer/rapper Cardi B tweeted:
We have enough information already!Both of the shooters are white supremacist terrorist with intentions to kill minority’s .Law enforcement took rapid action but what are YOU going to do to control some of your RACIST SUPPORTERS? https://t.co/P4iYAJa34L
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) August 4, 2019
Singer John Legend also weighed in:
When we condemn the racist venom coming from the President's mouth and point out the bigotry of his policies, it's not an academic question, it's not a political game, it's about life and death. The President regularly inspires killers. He is a part of the problem
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 4, 2019
Singer Lizzo tweeted:
Just got off the phone w/ fam in Dayton… it was a close call for them but that’s not the case for 9 other families
between this & the terrorist attack in El Paso & recent other shootings I feel completely helpless.. make noise & bring awareness.. vote.. don’t normalize this
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) August 4, 2019
Actor Reese Witherspoon called for immediate action on gun control:
Woke up to the news of #DaytonOH shooting. This senseless loss of life is unbearable. When will our US representatives give the people of this country the common sense gun laws we are all demanding? I’m calling my congressman. Again. @Everytown
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) August 4, 2019
Dangerous Rhetoric
Trump has blamed social media and the internet for the “racist hate” that caused the El Paso massacre. However, it has been reported that his very own re-election campaign has used more than 2,000 Facebook ads this year to characterise immigration as an “invasion”.
In his first public remarks about the mass shootings, President Trump said that the internet is a “dangerous avenue to radicalize disturbed minds”. Trump’s ads have been viewed between 1,059,000 and 5,559,801 times by and cost the Trump campaign between $7,900 and $241,601 to promote.
Clearly this is an avenue that Trump and his team know all too well.
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