Celebrities including Rihanna and Cardi B have condemned US President Donald Trump‘s response to the death of 29 people in two mass shootings in 24 hours, saying he should call the massacres acts of white supremacist terrorism.
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Following yesterday’s shooting at an El Paso, Texas Walmart, which left 20 people dead, and a separate shooting in Dayton, Ohio, which left nine dead, Trump called the first attack an “act of cowardice” and described the second as an “unspeakable act of evil.”
The first gunman reportedly shared a racist manifesto on 8chan, the internet message board which has become a hive for white supremacist discourse and the ideological cesspool which once harboured Australian Christchurch attacker Brenton Tarrant.
In a press conference, Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl said it was too early to establish a “bias motive” in the second shooting.
Investigations into both attacks are ongoing.
In response to the attacks, Trump praised the efforts of law enforcement and issued the stock-standard “thoughts and prayers.” That wasn’t enough for Rihanna, who said the POTUS should use more accurate language.
“Um… Donald, you spelt “terrorism” wrong!” Rihanna said.
“Your country had 2 terrorist attacks back to back hours apart leaving almost 30 innocent people dead.”
Cardi echoed that sentiment, saying “Both of the shooters are white supremacist terrorist with intentions to kill minority’s (sic).”
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? https://t.co/P4iYAJa34L
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) August 4, 2019
The rapper added the shootings were elements of a brewing “racial war” in the country.
This is not beyond my scoop this is my country and I’m tired ! I get it you are a conservative you and you can support who you want but you can’t ignore the slowly but surely racial war that going on in this country that are the reasons of these tragedy . https://t.co/ZW7y7CCgab
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) August 4, 2019
