None of the El Paso shooting victims being treated at hospital wanted to meet Trump, says spokesperson
The eight victims of the El Paso mass shootings who are currently being treated at the University Medical Center reportedly refused to meet with President Donald Trump during his visit to the hospital on Wednesday.
They did, however, accept visits from other Democratic officials, including Texas Representative Veronica Escobar and Illinois Representative Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia.
UMC spokesperson Ryan Mielke, while speaking to The Washington Post, said: "This is a very sensitive time in their lives. Some of them said they didn't want to meet with the president. Some of them didn't want any visitors."
Mielke added that Trump met with two victims who had already been discharged and had returned to the hospital with their families to meet with the president.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham released a statement saying that the president and the first lady met with "victims of the tragedy while at the hospital."
Grisham claimed that they were "received very warmly by not just victims and their families, but by the many members of medical staff who lined the hallways to meet them. It was a moving visit for all involved."
Trump visited Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas on Wednesday to meet with the victims, first responders and law enforcement after two mass shootings rocked the country over the weekend, killing 31 people in total and injuring several others.
The president reportedly said that his trips were successful and called it "an amazing day," filled with "love" and "respect for the office of the presidency."
Multiple Democrats have blamed Trump's suggestive rhetoric for facilitating an environment that has emboldened this type of violence.
Many Dems running for the 2020 presidency even called the president a white nationalist.
The 21-year-old El Paso shooter had reportedly released a manifesto online before the shooting, which including anti-immigrant sentiments.
Mayors and Democrats in Dayton said that they would "welcome" the president in an official capacity.
There were, however, demonstrators in the region where the shooting occurred who held up signs and chanted, "Do something!" while calling for gun reform.
Trump reportedly avoided this area.