Trump Gives Thumbs Up In Photo With Infant Orphaned In El Paso Shooting
The baby’s parents were both killed during the El Paso mass shooting
As the world is still in shock over the horrific mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, mourning the innocent lives lost, folks are understandably upset by a recent picture posted on Twitter by the FLOTUS showing her and Donald Trump smiling and giving a thumbs-up as they held a baby orphaned by the El Paso massacre.
On a visit to El Paso this week, the president met with some of the families and victims and, when posing with the two-month-old — whose parents Andre and Jordan Anchondo — were shot dead last Saturday protecting their son, smiled and gave a thumbs-up. The baby was injured, breaking his fingers when his mother fell on top of him and father dove to try to protect the infant and his mother.
The orphaned child, named Paul, was requested to return to the El Paso University Medical Center Trump was visiting on Wednesday by the White House when the photo op took place. The baby’s uncle, Tito Anchondo (also pictured), is reportedly a Trump supporter, as was Paul’s father, Salon reported.
People were understandably shocked and angered at the inappropriateness of such a pose during what is a devastating situation for the baby boy and his family:
The Washington Post reported that none of the eight patients who were being treatedat El Paso University Medical Center wished to meet President Trump, but baby Paul was brought back for the photo.
This wasn’t the only concern raised about Trump’s visit. He also managed to bash 2020 Democratic contender and former local congressman, Beto O’Rourke, who he insulted about — of all things — the crowd size from their visits months earlier.
While visiting the hospital, Trump joked to medical staff about his February rally crowd sizes according to a video obtained by CBS affiliate KDBC, comparing his to O’Rourke’s, saying, “I was here three months ago. That place was packed … That was some crowd. And we had twice the number outside. And then you had this crazy Beto. Beto had like 400 people in a parking lot, they said his crowd was wonderful.”
Anchondo told NPR his family has always been Republican conservatives and he’d welcome a sit-down with Trump to discuss the tragedy in more detail. “My brother [Paul’s father] was very supportive of Trump. I want to see his reaction in person,” he said. “I want to see if he’s genuine and see if my political views are right or wrong. And see if he feels maybe some kind of remorse for statements that he’s made. I just want to have a human-to-human talk with him and see how he feels.”
After 31 people were gunned down just last week in America, it seems a sit-down would be the least one victim’s family should receive.
