Donald Trump has come in for criticism after posting an insensitive tweet following the death of NBA superstar Dwyane Wade’s cousin, Nykea Aldridge.
Aldridge, 32, was shot dead while pushing a baby in a stroller in Chicago on Friday near a school where her children would be starting this autumn. She was a mother to four children.
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, capitalised on the death of the young mother by tweeting “Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”
The tweet does not refer to Aldridge by name, and originally misspelled Wade’s name before Trump reposted it.
Some hours later, and after some backlash, Trump walked back the inflammatory message, posting a more measured message of condolence, which read “My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers.”
Dwyane Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2016
Wade, who currently plays his basketball with the Chicago Bulls, has not responded to Trump’s tweets – but others have slammed the politician for his triumphalist attitude, which mirrors his response to the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.
Quoting the now-deleted originally tweet in which Wade’s name was spelled wrong, actor Don Cheadle called Trump a “POS”.
https://twitter.com/DonCheadle/status/769544407368421377
The fact that Trump's first instinct was to turn D-Wade's tragedy into further proof of black peoples' need for him as a savior is telling.
— Nope. (@JoyAnnReid) August 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Gibberman10/status/769554703575232514
In addition to the fact that is appalling and disgusting, Trump also misspelled Dwyane Wade's name https://t.co/OqNBmEYGii
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 27, 2016
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