Seven people were killed and dozens more left injured after three terrorists took part in multiple acts of terror in and around the London Bridge on Saturday night. As many around the world offered their thoughts and prayers, Donald Trump decided to take a different route.
Trump on London
After attacks in Westminster and Manchester earlier this year, a third terrorist attack rocked the United Kingdom on Saturday. It started when a truck plowed through a crowd of people on the London Bridge, as the attacker exited his vehicle and started stabbing those around him.
Two other incidents occurred not far from the bridge, with at least one being linked back to the initial incident. British Prime Minister Teresa May confirmed the authorities conclusion that the act was terrorism, saying, "enough is enough" while warning against a potential copycat. The three suspects have since been killed after a shootout with police, with the death toll currently at seven. The Mayor Of London, Sadiq Kahn, condemned the attacked in a statement, referring to them as a "deliberate and cowardly attack on Londoners and visitors." In response, Donald Trump decided to give his thoughts on what took place, misquoting the London Mayor in the process during a series of June 4 tweets.
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
Taking to his Twitter account on Sunday morning, Donald Trump railed against Sadiq Kahn, while mocking those who push for Gun Control. "At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!'" Trump tweeted, despite The Guardian reporting that the mayor never made those remarks.
Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don't get smart it will only get worse
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
In a follow-up tweet, Donald Trump pointed out that the attackers used a truck and knives to carry out their act of terror, in an apparent trolling over the gun control debate.
"Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now?" Trump rhetorically asked, while noting, "That's because they used knives and a truck!" In a third tweet on the matter, the former host of "The Apprentice" warned against future attacks due an increase in political correctness. "We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people," he wrote, warning, "If we don't get smart it will only get worse."
Witnesses to the London terror attacks say some people fought back, throwing bottles and chairs at attackers https://t.co/JHvzkvyy3I pic.twitter.com/YQ7hH1aHrH
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 4, 2017
Trump's double down
Donald Trump's Sunday tweets come after two others were sent out the night before.
In one social media post on Saturday night, Trump offered London a helping hand, but also took the time to promote his controversial travel ban. Trump faced instant backlash from critics due to his tweets, with his supporters cheering him on as the partisan divide in the United States continued.
