Trump thanks Kanye for praising him, still silent on Waffle House hero
Trump hasn’t offered a word of praise for James Shaw Jr., a hero who put his life on the line to protect others. But he did find time to tweet at Kanye West — twice.
Trump has thus far adamantly refused to acknowledge the heroism of James Shaw Jr., the man who saved lives in a mass shooting. But he managed to find the time to reach out to Kanye West multiple times on Twitter.
Shaw saved the lives of multiple people Sunday morning when he wrestled an AR-15 away from a gunman at a Tennessee Waffle House. Four people died, but countless more could have had Shaw not literally grabbed the weapon from the gunman’s hands.
Shaw, who is black, has been widely and rightly praised as a hero. But none of that praise has come from Trump.
But Trump did find the time to praise West, an entertainer, who recently said nice things about Trump. Kanye tweeted that he and Trump are both “dragon energy,” adding, “He is my brother. I love everyone.”
Even though West made it clear he does not agree with everything Trump does, Trump nonetheless responded on Twitter with, “Thank you Kanye, very cool!”
Shaw has raised more than $148,000 for the families of the victims of the shooting at the Waffle House, as well as funding for medical bills of those who were injured.
“Please take the time to donate as all of the proceeds will be given to the families,” Shaw wrote. “Thank you again for your generosity and blessings!”
Trump did not praise this action as “very cool,” or even acknowledge the gesture. But once again, he did take time to acknowledge West on Twitter. West posted a photo of a red “Make America Great Again” hat signed by Trump, which Trump retweeted saying, “MAGA.”
Other elected leaders decided that ignoring a hero is not a classy way to act.
On Tuesday, lawmakers in the Tennessee state capitol gave Shaw a standing ovation for his bravery. “You were confronted with the most unspeakable evil imaginable and you acted with the utmost honor, heroism, imaginable,” state Rep. Jason Powell told Shaw. “And I want to say, James Shaw Jr., you are my hero and you are Tennessee’s hero.”
Trump had plenty of opportunities to praise Shaw. He had press availabilities with visiting French president Emmanuel Macron. Or he could have used Twitter, the same way he communicated with West.
In his 26 tweets since the shooting, Trump found time to attack the Mueller investigation (twice), attack Democrats (three times), and reach out to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the horrific terrorist attack in Toronto. Plus the aforementioned two tweets to West.
But he did not find time to thank a heroic black man who saved the lives of fellow Americans. His shameful silence is heard loud and clear.
Recommended
Trump leaves door open to banning medication abortion nationwide
Donald Trump is planning to release more details in the weeks ahead about how his administration would regulate access to medication abortion, according to comments he made during a lengthy interview with Time magazine published Tuesday.
By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom - April 30, 2024Biden on abortion rights: President expects to give speech Tuesday on new Florida 6-week ban
‘Having the president of the United States speaking out loud and with confidence about abortion access is a great thing’
By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix - April 22, 2024Biden calls for expanded child tax credit, taxes on wealthy in $7.2 trillion budget plan
President Joe Biden released his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year Monday, calling on Congress to stick to the spending agreement brokered last year and to revamp tax laws so that the “wealthy pay their fair share.”
By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom - March 11, 2024