UPDATED: As News of Orlando Terror Attack Spread, Texas Lt. Governor Tweeted Biblical Messages of Hate
Republican Dan Patrick Invoked Bible Messages Seemingly Against LGBT People In Apparent Response to Worst Terror Attack Since 9/11
At 8 AM EDT Sunday morning news was spreading that 20 people had been shot to death in an Orlando, Florida gay nightclub, Pulse. The death toll has now been raised to 50 dead.
Also at 8 AM, then 30 minutes later, Texas Republican Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who has been working hard to position himself as a national leader against the LGBT community, posted two tweets.
The first bible verse, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows,” from Galatians 6:7. The next, from Psalm 37:39: “The Salvation of the righteous come from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.” The second included the message, “Have a blessed Sunday!”
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) June 12, 2016
Have a blessed Sunday! pic.twitter.com/RaoitzD7fV
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) June 12, 2016
Both include the Lt. Governor’s campaign logo at the bottom.
In response, on Twitter, many expressed their outrage:
@DanPatrick @dimecoverage Tweeted as news breaks of mass casualties at a gay nightclub. Vile. Have you no shame?
— Hopkins Horn (@HopkinsHorn17) June 12, 2016
@HopkinsHorn17 I am so ashamed of @DanPatrick, I don’t think anything he says / does surprises me anymore. The man is a TX disgrace.
— Bless Your Heart (@dimecoverage) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick what an abhorrent post. God doesn’t “allow” this. Politicians who fight #gunsense do. #EndGunViolence
— Mendi Tackett (@mentack) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick You pervert Christianity in a way that would make Jesus cringe. Where is your compassion?
— Chris Sacca (@sacca) June 12, 2016
.@DanPatrick you are disgusting; this is immoral.
— Jodi Jacobson (@jljacobson) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick Sir, using God to celebrate the deaths caused by a terrorist is offensive
— Michael F Ozaki MD (@brontyman) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick You are a monster. #LGBT #Pride2016 #Pulse #PulseNightclub #PulseOrlando
— (((John M. Becker))) (@freedom2marry) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick You are a disgrace to Texas. Yes, I am Republican. Yes, I voted for you. yes, I’m Christian. Never get my vote again.
— Mark Toney (@MToney) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick What a disgusting human being you are.
— Back2Stonewall.com (@BACK2STONEWALL) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick HAVE YOU NO SHAME
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick Chose your job: preacher or government official. You can’t mix the two. Religious neutrality is essential for good governance.
— Coxygru (@coxygru) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick you were elected LT. Gov not the state Deacon.
— Joe Welch (@ArmyMcCarthy) June 12, 2016
@DanPatrick You will go down in history as a horrible person, scorned by all true Christians.
— Phillip Pessar (@PhotogPhillip) June 12, 2016
Some have suggested the tweets could have been pre-scheduled. If true, the Lt. Governor has had nearly four hours to correct this and offer an apology, and he has not.
UPDATE: 12:18 PM EDT –
The Dallas Morning News reports Dan Patrick’s “campaign said the tweet had been scheduled days before the shooting. The tweet has been replaced with a verse from Psalms.” That’s actually false. The first was not “replaced” by a tweet from Psalms. The first was deleted, the second remains, and no other tweets have been posted. Nor has any apology been offered.
Here’s a screenshot of the first tweet:
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Hat tip: Joe.My.God.

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