ANALYSIS
Trump’s Response to Horrific Terrorism Attack in New Zealand Criticized as Weak and Slow

President Donald Trump is frequently quick to respond to foreign acts of terrorism, especially when the victims are white Christians. His response to a terror attack in London was so quick and brutal it prompted a rebuke from Prime Minister Theresa May.
But Trump’s response to Thursday night’s horrific well-planned terror attack on not one but two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing at least 49 people is leaving many confused, empty, and angered.
The President waited about nine hours before issuing a statement, via Twitter.
The President did not condemn the attack.
He did not even call it terrorism or an act of terror.
Instead, Trump sent his “warmest sympathy and best wishes,” and said, “God bless all!”
He said the victims, horrifically gunned down, massacred in their houses of worship, “senselessly died.”
My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2019
The White House issued a statement before the President tweeted:
“The United States strongly condemns the attack in Christchurch. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the people of New Zealand and their government against this vicious act of hate.”
While stronger than Trump’s remarks, it too did not call the attack on the mosques terrorism.
New Zealand, including its Prime Minister, has labeled the attacks terrorism.
Trump’s response to this horrific event is critical because one of the alleged terrorists left a supposed manifesto and posted video. He reportedly has named President Trump as a “as a symbol of white identity and common purpose.”
(NCRM will not propagate the terrorists’ messages or names unless there is a legitimate need, as in this case.)
It was important for Trump to call this terrorism, as New Zealand authorities have, and to denounce it in the strongest possible terms.
He did neither.
Here’s how some are responding:
You’ve demonized immigrants
You’ve banned Muslims
You’ve claimed Islam “hates us”
You’ve described white supremacists as “very fine people”
The shooter called you a “symbol of renewed white identity”And all you can give is your “rarest sympathy” and “best wishes” https://t.co/jMa3i6Ko0n
— Danielle Campoamor (@DCampoamor) March 15, 2019
Condemn the white supremacists, Mr President. All of them. https://t.co/poOhRaOT3W
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 15, 2019
Call. It. Terrorism. https://t.co/HuD1YxcO45
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) March 15, 2019
I’ll never get used to the president tweeting his grievances on the morning of a mass terrorist attack. He just never really cares unless the victims are white. https://t.co/NcUiK2cXqu
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) March 15, 2019
Murdered. They were murdered. They didn’t up and “senselessly die.” https://t.co/sehCegIfRS
— Alyssa Leader (@alittleleader) March 15, 2019
The terrorist massacre right? The radical right wing terrorism? Is it hard to say that? How about condemn or denounce or disavow? This ain’t a birthday party https://t.co/zf8vJ1MWlT
— Troy Brunner (@troyjbrunner) March 15, 2019
Anything you can do? How about not constantly demonizing Muslims as sub-human terrorist threats to the point where they’re slaughtered by your fans? https://t.co/6dVOtHHYM5
— Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) March 15, 2019
No, you are not expressing your warmest sympathy and best wishes.
Instead, you have said this more than two years ago.
‘I think Islam hates us’ (3.9.2016) https://t.co/2diBw08jgp
— İlker Sezer / إيلكر سيزار (@Ilkersezerrr) March 15, 2019
“Warmest sympathy and best wishes”? Dude, this isn’t a Christmas card https://t.co/g4Ii3rRgzk
— Deep State Wisco🏴☠️ (@Wisco) March 15, 2019
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