Nearly 24 hours after a man in Toronto, Canada drove his car into a crowd of pedestrians, Donald Trump has finally offered his thoughts. Once the president decided to tweet about the incident, critics were quick to lash out in return.
Trump on Toronto
It was Monday afternoon in Toronto, Canada when a man driving a van plowed into a major intersection. As of result of his actions, 10 people were killed with over a dozen left injured.
Once the suspect was captured, he was identified as 25-year-old Alek Minassian, who joined the Canadian Forces last summer but was asked to leave just 16 days into his basic training. Canadian officials said his exit was due to not "adapting to the military lifestyle" and that there were no "red flags" about his future behavior. Additional reports note that Minassian was known as a loner who expressed anger at women, including messages on his social media accounts where he praised mass shooters and anti-women movements. Minassian has since been charged with 10 counts of first degree murder, as well as 13 counts of attempted murder.
In an April 24 tweet, Donald Trump addressed the situation. "Americans stand with you and all of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all," Trump tweeted out, while using the trending hashtag of "#TorontoStrong." As expected, critics of the president weren't impressed with his late respond to the Toronto van attack and decided to sound off in the comment section of his tweet.
Twitter responds
Following Donald Trump's tweet about the van attack in Toronto, those who oppose the commander in chief made their thoughts loud and clear. "But what about the Waffle House shooting?!? (And the hero who stopped it!!??)" one tweet read in reference to the recent shooting at a Waffle House restaurant in the United States.
"I think your motto was 'America First'? Why don't you mention the right-wing maniac who attacked minorities in Nashville?" a Twitter user wondered. "And still no mention of those black victims by the white killer here in our own country (Nashville)?" Greg Shugar tweeted. "The tragedy happened yesterday, fool. If you weren't golfing you would have sent this tweet then," another tweet stated.
"You should try being a man and say that live. You know, like a real president such as Barack Obama would/did do in the time of need. Just sayin," a social media user stated. "Where was this sentiment YESTERDAY," a follow-up tweet read. The negative reaction continued to pour in as the backlash to Donald Trump shows no signs of coming to an end anytime soon.