Rihanna blasts Trump for refusing to call mass shootings as terror attacks, John Legend says president 'inspires' killers
Rihanna slammed President Donald Trump's lukewarm response to the two deadly mass shootings in the United States that left 29 people dead.
Trump, after the shooting at an El Paso, Texas Walmart on Saturday, tweeted saying that he "stands with everyone in this Country to condemn today's hateful act."
However, multiple critics, including many celebrities, pointed out how the president had not mentioned "terrorism" in his reaction to the massacre at all.
"Today’s shooting in El Paso, Texas, was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice. I know that I stand with everyone in this Country to condemn today’s hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people," Trump tweeted.
Within a few hours of his tweet, another mass shooting was reported at a bar in Dayton, Ohio, where the shooter opened fire on unsuspecting people, killing nine in the process.
Without any statement from Trump on domestic terrorism in the country, Rihanna took to the popular microblogging site to slam the president, saying: "Um… Donald, you spelt “terrorism” wrong! Your country had 2 terrorist attacks back to back hours apart leaving almost 30 innocent people dead,” Rihanna wrote.
“This, just days after yet another terrorist attack in California, where a terrorist was able to LEGALLY purchase an assault rifle (AK-47) in Vegas, then drive hours to a food festival in Cali leaving 6 more people dead including a young infant baby boy!" the singer tweeted.
Rihanna also took aim at the president's anti-immigration and pro-gun policies, writing: "Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA! Imagine a world where they build a wall to keep terrorists IN AMERICA!!! My prayers and deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all the victims from Texas, California, and Ohio! I’m so sorry for your loss! Nobody deserves to die like this! NOBODY!"
Shortly after Rihanna's tweet, multiple other celebrities, including John Legend, Cadi B, Chris Evans, Julianne Moore, and others slammed the president for his reaction.
Mr. President we need more than God’s blessing. We need decisive action on the ground: an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, age limits on purchases of military-style assault weapons-How many more slaughters of innocents can our nation suffer before we take action? https://t.co/856PODFoae
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) August 4, 2019
"My heart aches for El Paso and Dayton. Our nation is experiencing these traumas far too often and we need our leaders to take urgent action: take these weapons of war off the street and fight the evil ideology of white nationalism that motivates many of these terrorists," John Legend wrote.
The popular singer-songwriter also blamed the president for inspiring such attacks on the masses: "When we condemn the racist venom coming from the President's mouth and point out the bigotry of his policies, it's not an academic question, it's not a political game, it's about life and death. The President regularly inspires killers. He is a part of the problem."
Woke up to the news of #DaytonOH shooting. This senseless loss of life is unbearable. When will our US representatives give the people of this country the common sense gun laws we are all demanding? I’m calling my congressman. Again. @Everytown
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) August 4, 2019
As Trump tweeted further updates on the mass shootings, Cardi B denounced the president, saying: "We have enough information already!Both of the shooters are white supremacist terrorist with intentions to kill minority’s. Law enforcement took rapid action but what are YOU going to do to control some of your RACIST SUPPORTERS?"
While actor Chris Evans tweeted: "We now have mass shootings happening with such frequency that the president can write a two for one tweet."
I have a question.
— Lauren Graham (@thelaurengraham) August 3, 2019
While it’s not for me, I get why people might want to legally own a rifle for hunting or a hand gun for home protection. But why do we allow civilians to purchase assault weapons? What do we expect they’ll be used for besides the heartbreaking obvious?
"When I went to bed last night hundreds of @MomsDemand volunteers were marching in DC following the horrific shooting in #elpaso,” tweeted Julianne Moore. “When I woke up, there had been another tragic shooting in #Dayton. My outrage is exhausted, replaced by resolve to #EndGunViolence.”