Donald Trump has come under fire for his insensitive response when asked about the assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a Democratic lawmaker killed in June. The comments have drawn outrage, particularly as they come in the wake of the politically motivated assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which has sparked widespread conversations about political violence.
Trump’s Dismissive Remark
The controversy began when a reporter asked Trump whether it would have been appropriate to lower the American flags to half-staff in honor of Hortman’s death. Trump initially appeared unaware of the incident, responding, “Uh, I’m not familiar. Who?” After the situation was clarified, he said, “Oh right. Well, if the governor had asked me to do that, I would’ve done that, but the governor of Minnesota didn’t ask me.”
He continued, explaining, “People make requests for the lowering of the flag and oftentimes you have to say no because it would be a lot of lowering, the flag would never be up.” He then reiterated that he would have agreed to lower the flag if requested by the Minnesota governor.
This response was widely criticized as callous and out of touch, with many expressing disbelief that the president seemed not to know about the assassination of a sitting lawmaker.
Backlash on Social Media
Trump’s remarks quickly sparked outrage across social media, with critics calling his response “evil” and “vile.” One Reddit user wrote, “A special kind of evil,” while others expressed their disapproval, accusing him of not caring about the death of a public servant. Many pointed out the stark contrast in his reaction to Kirk’s assassination, where Trump had ordered federal buildings to fly the American flag at half-mast in his honor.
Clarification and Trump’s Past Statement
In an attempt to address the backlash, a White House representative clarified that Trump was, in fact, aware of Hortman’s assassination, pointing to a post he made on Truth Social at the time. In the post, Trump condemned the attack as a “targeted attack against State Lawmakers” and promised that the Attorney General and the FBI would prosecute those responsible. He also sent his condolences to the people of Minnesota, calling the state “a truly great place.”
Details of the Incident
Hortman was shot and killed on June 14, 2023, alongside her husband and their pet dog in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The assassin, Vance Boelter, 57, impersonated a police officer to gain access to the victims’ home. He also shot and injured another Democratic lawmaker, John Hoffman, and his wife, but they survived.
Boelter, who had a “hit list” of 45 elected officials—mostly Democrats—is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder. He is also charged with impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. Boelter has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Hortman was gunned down by a man pretending to be a police officer (Glen Stubbe/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Conclusion
Trump’s remarks have led to a broader discussion about the treatment of political violence and the president’s responsiveness to such events, particularly when it involves figures from opposing political parties. His lack of awareness or empathy regarding the assassination of Melissa Hortman has raised questions about his approach to such tragedies and his handling of politically motivated violence.
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