Donald Trump's tweet on killing of Dwyane Wade’s cousin sparks uproar
Donald Trump’s latest appeal to African-American voters had Twitter users fuming Saturday.
Trump’s first tweet in the morning invoked the death of NBA star Dwyane Wade’s first cousin, Nykea Aldridge, who was gunned down Friday in Chicago’s South Side while pushing her baby in a stroller.
Trump -- who has recently courted minority voters with “What the hell do you have to lose?” pitches and promises that they won’t get shot during his presidency -- tweeted this: “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!”
Trump later deleted the tweet to correct the misspelling of Wade’s first name:
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
Hours after Trump’s original tweet, the Republican nominee also offered his condolences:
My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2016
Twitter didn’t take kindly to Trump’s use of Aldridge’s death, even after the correction of Wade’s name:
That time Donald Trump used Dwyane Wade's cousin's murder to campaign for the Black vote. https://t.co/fQPlUuDdEx pic.twitter.com/SjxOqPjshu
— BET (@BET) August 27, 2016
Trump fixed the spelling of Dwyane Wade's name. Still doesn't offer condolences. Same self-congratulatory tone. https://t.co/VKCUIJ20Qd
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) August 27, 2016
@realDonaldTrump An absolute disgrace
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) August 27, 2016
The misspelling of Wade's name is about the 14th worst thing about Trump's tweet, so maybe not focus on that part.
— Greg Pinelo (@gregpinelo) August 27, 2016
An NBC News producer noted that Trump’s original tweet was sent from an Android cell phone (which Trump is known to use), compared to the later, edited tweet, which was sent from an Apple iPhone.
Also: Trump's original misspelled Dwyane Wade tweet came from an Android.
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) August 27, 2016
New corrected tweet? iPhone. pic.twitter.com/g0aurQ6zZ7
Wade, one of a number of athletes who has spoken out against gun violence and the disconnect between police and the minority communities they serve, first tweeted about his cousin’s death Friday night, calling it “another act of senseless gun violence.”
My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
Trump, who was endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) earlier this year, is a staunch defender of Second Amendment liberties and is opposed to strengthened gun control legislation.
Wade, a native Chicagoan who returned to his hometown last month when he signed with the Bulls, did not respond directly to the GOP nominee Saturday, but he did fire off his own series of tweets on the city’s violence:
RIP Nykea Aldridge... #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
The city of Chicago is hurting. We need more help& more hands on deck. Not for me and my family but for the future of our world. The YOUTH!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
These young kids are screaming for help!!! #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016