Trump Brags About His Administration’s Record in First Remarks After Twin Mass Shootings

He failed to condemn white supremacy. He failed to address gun control.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

In the hours after two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, President Donald Trump remained largely out of sight. He tweeted his support for the affected families and law enforcement; he issued a proclamation condemning violence.

On Sunday afternoon, in his first spoken remarks following the devastating events that left at least 29 dead, Trump briefly addressed reporters before boarding Air Force One from his New Jersey golf course resort, where he spent the weekend. He congratulated law enforcement in both places and said, “As bad as it was, it could have been so much worse.” 

Trump did not mention the racism that allegedly motivated the shooting in El Paso or any specific measures the administration plans to take to prevent future shootings, but he noted that “a lot of things are in the works.” He added, “hate has no place in our country.”

Trump also took the opportunity to boast about his administration’s record. “We have done much more than most administrations,” he said. “That’s not talked about very much. But we’ve done actually a lot. But perhaps more has to be done.”

The president promised to make another statement on Monday morning.

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate