Trump After Mass Shootings: ‘Fake News Has Contributed Greatly to the Anger and Rage That Has Built Up Over Many Years’

News of Trump's calling out of fake news with regards to the recent attacks quickly spread online.

Check out how people are responding to this on Twitter:

President Trump's words regarding the true motivator behind the gunmans' killings come after mainstream media and Dems have blamed Trump for "stoking racism" and driving the shootings (when in fact the El Paso shooter explicitly stated in his "manifesto" that he was not committing the murder because of Trump and the Dayton shooter was a self-proclaimed liberal...)

This Twitter user made a great point:

Do you agree that is was mainstream media's fake news, not Trump, that contributed to the motivation behind the mass shootings?

Let us know your thoughts on our Twitter page.

The Hill commented on Trump blaming fake news for young Americans' pent up rage:

               President Trump on Monday said "fake news" has contributed to growing "anger and rage" in the country in the wake of two mass shootings over the weekend, marking the second time he has criticized media coverage in the aftermath of a tragedy.

"The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country," Trump tweeted. "Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!"

The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country. Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019

The president's suggestion that press coverage is to blame came after shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, that took place within 24 hours of each other over the weekend.

A gunman killed 20 people and wounded dozens more in an attack at a Walmart in El Paso on Saturday. He allegedly wrote a racist, anti-immigrant manifesto before the attack, which described fears of a Latino “invasion" and references "fake news."

Hours later, a gunman killed nine people and injured dozens more in Dayton.

Pundits and Democratic politicians alike have tied Trump's own rhetoric describing the influx of migrants as an "invasion" and painting immigrants broadly as criminals to that of the El Paso shooter.

The Epoch Times has more to say about Trump's words:

President Donald Trump said that “fake news” from media outlets has “contributed greatly” to problems of polarization in the country and urged the media to report on issues and events fairly.

“The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country. Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years,” Trump wrote on Twitter on Aug. 5.

“News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!” Trump added.

The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country. Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019

 

The president’s comments came after mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, over the weekend, and attempts by some media outlets to connect at least one of the shootings to Trump with scant evidence to indicate a connection.

The alleged shooter in El Paso was identified as 21-year-old Patrick Crusius. He was captured alive, and the shooting is being probed as an act of domestic terrorism.

The alleged shooter in Dayton, Connor Betts, was shot dead by officers.

Trump addressed the shootings directly in comments to reporters and in posts on Twitter.

“I want to extend our condolences to the people of El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio,” Trump told reporters on Sunday. “They’re incredible people and they’ve been through a lot. I just want to also thank the law enforcement in both places. The job they’ve done is incredible. I also want to congratulate them. I mean, nobody could have done what they’ve done. This could have been—as bad as it was, it could have been so much worse.”

“Hate has no place in our country. And we’re going to take care of it,” he added, noting he had spoken with Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray, in addition to a number of governors, law enforcement officials, and members of Congress.