At the White House on Wednesday, Donald Trump invited students, teachers, and family members who have been impacted by school shootings to take part in what was described as a "listening session." After Kellyanne Conway gave her thoughts, critics of the administration were quick to hit back.
Among the saddest days since arriving here.
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) February 22, 2018
Deeply moved by the bravery, clarity, passion & resolve in that room today. https://t.co/pA9Rktcmgy
Conway on Trump
Last week on Valentine's Day, 19-year-old Nikolas Jacob Cruz walked into his old school Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and unloaded his weapon at former classmates and new faces.
Over the course of the next half hour, Cruz had killed 17 people and injuring many others before being taken into custody by law enforcement. Since then, calls for increased gun control have dominated the news cycle, with students holding protests and rallies to help push the issue forward. Despite his support for the Second Amendment, Donald Trump held a listening session at the White House where he invited several survivors of the Parkland shooting and of other school shootings.
Photo reveals Trump notes for listening session on mass shootings included "I hear you" https://t.co/mA9jYMHZSu pic.twitter.com/mwfNIcHMxD
— The Hill (@thehill) February 22, 2018
After nearly an hour of the president saying a few words and listening to students, the session wrapped up, though many pushed back and accused the Trump of cherry picking who was invited to help minimize the criticism.
Despite this, Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway was quick to praise the session, while highlighting the remarks from Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was killed in Parkland. "Among the saddest days since arriving here," Conway said, before adding, "Deeply moved by the bravery, clarity, passion & resolve in that room today."
Twitter reacts
After Kellyanne Conway sent out her tweet, those who oppose the administration didn't waste anytime with their thoughts.
"Why did Trump needs notes to demonstrate sadness?" one tweet asked after an AP photographer snapped a photo of Trump's prepared notes at the listening session.
Too bad @realDonaldTrump had to be given simple talking points. He lacks basic empathy.
— Craiger Pequeño (@CraigerPequeno) February 22, 2018
If the GOP doesn’t do anything about gun reform, the sad days will continue.
— Kristina Wong ❄️ (@mskristinawong) February 22, 2018
Does this make you as sad as the bowling green massacre did?
— Noel Hansen (@NoelHansen74) February 22, 2018
"Trump wasn’t so sad going to a disco party after visiting victims for a photo op," a Twitter user wrote.
"Does this make you as sad as the bowling green massacre did?" a sarcastic tweet noted. "If the GOP doesn’t do anything about gun reform, the sad days will continue," comedian Kristina Wong tweeted.
It is a shame that your boss doesn’t feel the same.
— Steven P Bowers (@cardnut23) February 22, 2018
Maybe your boss could strap a pair on, return his $XX million ‘donation’ from the @NRA and actually do something other than line his own pockets for a change...?
— Andy Slater (@Grossberger101) February 22, 2018
"Maybe your boss could strap a pair on, return his $million 'donation' from the NRA and actually do something other than line his own pockets for a change...? a social media user wondered. "It is a shame that your boss doesn’t feel the same," yet another tweet went on to read.
