Donald Trump has been slammed for making an insensitive remark about a Democratic lawmaker who was assassinated three months ago.
Politically-motivated violence is apparently the topic on everyone's lips following the brutal daylight killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on September 10.
Kirk was shot in the neck by a single bullet as he spoke at the college event in Utah, and while a motive has not yet been determined, Vice President JD Vance wasted no time in pointing fingers to what he dubbed 'left-wing extremism.'
A 22-year-old, Tyler Robinson, has been arrested in connection with the assassination. Initial reports indicated the Utah native was raised in a Republican household, but had become 'more political in recent years' according to an affidavit filed by prosecutors.
Advert
President Donald Trump, whom described Kirk as a 'very close friend' and is due to attend his funeral in Arizona on Sunday (September 21), had ordered all federal buildings to fly the American flag as half-mast in honor and out of respect of the late media personality.
Now, the POTUS has come under fire for appearing to shrug off the same suggestion for a different victim of what officials described as a 'politically motivated assassination.'
Melissa Hortman, a Democrat and Minnesota representative, was tragically shot dead alongside her husband and their pet dog in Brooklyn Park on June 14 this year.
Another Democratic lawmaker, John Hoffman and his wife were also shot by the same man that night, but fortunately both survived, as did their daughter, Hope.
When asked by a reporter if it 'would have fitting to lower the flags to half staff when Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota House Speaker, was gunned down by an assassin', Trump suggested he wasn't aware of the incident.
He shrugged: "Uh, I'm not familiar. Who?"
When the situation was clarified to him, Trump said: "Oh right. Well, if the governor had asked me to do that, I would've done that but the governor of Minnesota didn't ask me. I didn't - I wouldn't have thought of that, but I would've if somebody had asked me.
"People make requests for the lowering of the flag and oftentimes you have to say no because it would be a lot of lowering, the flag would never be up," he added before reiterating he would've lowered it in Hortman's memory if asked to.
Dozens have since blasted the POTUS on social media for his remarks, finding it 'unbelievable' he appeared not to know who Hortman was.
"A special kind of evil," another wrote on Reddit.
Another critic penned on Twitter: "What a vile scumbag," while dozens more said he 'doesn't care' about Hortman.
When contacted by UNILAD, a White House representative said 'obviously the President was aware' of Hortman's assassination, referencing Trump's Truth Social post.
At the time, Trump wrote: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.
"Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!"
Vance Boelter, 57, is facing two state charges of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and charges of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty in connection with the incident.
He was indicted in July on six federal counts of murder, stalking, and firearms violations. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Boelter reportedly had a 'hit list' of 45 elected officials - all Democrats.
UNILAD has also contacted the Minnesota Governor for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, Minnesota, JD Vance, US News, Politics, Charlie Kirk
Liv Bridge