Trump Sees Orlando Tragedy as Opportunity to Brag

In the wake of the terrible tragedy in Orlando that rocked our nation this weekend, laymen and leaders alike spoke out on news and social media. For some, the massacre that claimed the lives of 50 people attending an LGBT event at the Pulse Nightclub was the perfect opportunity to push their own political agenda. For others, it was a time to rally the masses and call for unity. Many forewent politics for compassion. For one man, though, the Orlando mass shooting was just the right moment for gloating and self-congratulations.

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders both reacted to the news with empathetic remarks quickly followed by heavy-handed demands for stricter gun control laws. President Obama falsely claimed that the Orlando shooting was “the most deadly shooting in American history” and went on to speak about how “easy” it is for individuals to obtain a weapon that can be used to “shoot people in a school, or in a house of worship, in a movie theater, or in a nightclub.”

Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck took a moment to try and unite a country divided by political opinions and religious differences. He released a statement on Facebook saying, “Isis should know, if you try to kill our LBGT brothers and sisters, you will need to come through us all. We are one. We will be a shelter and fierce defender of the rights of all mankind.” He called for everyone to put aside their differences and unite against those who would try to “silence, cause fear or kill.” Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson called the shootings “cowardly and infuriating” and said that “our thoughts must be with the victims” rather than making an attempt to forward any political goals.

Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, responded to news of the attack with a series of Tweets that covered an entire spectrum of emotions not at all out of character for the man. For an hour, he was empathetic and seemed sad as he posted “Praying for all the victims and their families. When will this stop?” With his very next tweet the newfound, compassionate Trump reverted back to the arrogant persona the public is far more accustomed to. “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism,” he touted, adding “I don’t want congrats” immediately after in a hollow attempt at humility. He continued in this vein when he told followers, “…Orlando is just the beginning” and once again bragged “I called it.” Scattered among his arrogance were also tweets calling out “Crooked Hillary” and telling followers that President Obama should resign if he didn’t use the term “Radical Islamic terrorism” in his address. Trump has since made no further mention of the victims of the attack.

Horrific incident in FL. Praying for all the victims & their families. When will this stop? When will we get tough, smart & vigilant?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016

Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016

What has happened in Orlando is just the beginning. Our leadership is weak and ineffective. I called it and asked for the ban. Must be tough

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016

Donald Trump is an appalling egoist on the best of days, but has he finally crossed a line with this obvious disrespect for the loss of life that occurred? He has turned a national tragedy into a soapbox to talk about himself and pat himself on the back. Has he finally become so tied up in his own pride that the deaths of the innocent don’t matter, only that people acknowledge his opinion and tell him he’s right?