"Not Even Thoughts And Prayers Anymore. Just 'Go F Yourself'" — People Are Floored By Donald Trump's Response To The FSU Shooting
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On Thursday, a shooter opened fire on campus at Florida State University, killing two people and injuring six others.
Authorities identified the suspect as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a likely student at FSU and the son of a deputy in the local sheriff’s department. He was taken into custody after being shot by police, officials said.
While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Donald Trump made his first public comments on the shooting. "It's a shame. Horrible thing. Horrible thing. Things like this take place. And we'll have more to say about it later," Trump said in a viral clip circulating on social media.
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When pressed later by reporters on whether another mass shooting might prompt changes to gun legislation, Trump doubled down on his defense of the Second Amendment.
"I'm a big advocate of the Second Amendment," he said. "These things are terrible, but the gun doesn't do the shooting — the people do. It's, you know, a phrase that's used probably too often. I will tell you that it's a shame."
"As far as legislation is concerned, this has been going on for a long time," he said. "I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment. I ran on the Second Amendment."
In the wake of the tragedy, many on social media criticized Trump's response.
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"not even thoughts and prayers anymore, just 'go fuck yourself,'" one user posted in response to the viral clip.
"Moved on from thoughts and prayers to simply just saying I don't care. Absolutely disgusting," said David Hogg, Parkland survivor and current DNC Vice Chair.
"Weird how he wasn't that casual about getting shot himself," another wrote.
"Trump reacts to a campus shooting like it’s a rain delay at a golf tournament," someone else added.
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"He said more about Tesla dealerships," another post read.
"Thank goodness they only shot up a bunch of college kids and no Teslas were hurt," this person said.
"'Sorry about the dead people, but I love guns.' Their ashes are not even cold yet. Completely disgraceful and unchristian," another wrote.
"Trump's 'things like this take place' is a gut punch to victims' families," said another, citing NPR data showing the US had a gun death rate of 4.31 per 100,000 people in 2021. "Leadership demands action, not apathy. Shameful," they said.
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"'this has been going on for a long time'...so let's not try to change anything at all," another said.
And lastly, this person summed up an important truth: "Only country on the planet that has this problem."
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.