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Donald Trump faces backlash over social media silence on Quebec City mosque shooting
2-07-2017
U.S. President Donald Trump continues to face backlash for his social media silence on the Quebec City mosque shooting.
Despite his reputation for being outspoken about terrorism, Trump has yet to tweet about the mosque attack that left six dead and multiple others wounded – though the president did call Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to offer condolences.
Despite that, when the president took to Twitter Friday morning to denounce a near-attack on the world famous Louvre Museum in Paris, several people fired back at Trump, alleging he has not spoken publicly about the Quebec attack because the victims were Muslim.
“A new radical Islamic terrorist has just attacked in Louvre Museum in Paris. Tourists were locked down. France on edge again,” Trump tweeted from his personal Twitter account.
Trump’s tweet was soon inundated with replies reading, “a right-wing extremist attacked #QuebecCity but you still haven’t commented,” and, “Trump-supporting white nationalist kills 6 at Quebec mosque: no Trump response. Guy with a knife is apprehended in Paris: Trump tweets.”
“Are Muslim lives any less precious,” asked another user.
Allegations that President Trump has remained completely silent on the incident aren’t true. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the president offered his condolences and support to Justin Trudeau in a phone call Monday; however, details of what was said during the call have not been released.
The White House has also commented on the attack. On Monday, press secretary Sean Spicer alluded to the Quebec City mosque shooting while discussing reasons behind Trump’s controversial travel ban, which temporarily prevents travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.
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“It’s a terrible reminder of why we must remain vigilant and why the president is taking steps to be proactive and not reactive on issues of national security,” he said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
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