Trump blames media in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre
PITTSBURGH: President Donald Trump blamed the media on Monday for pre-election “anger” as the nation mourned the loss of 11 lives in the weekend shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the worst anti-semitic attack in recent US history.
Hours before Robert Bowers was to make his first court appearance on charges of perpetrating the massacre, Trump lashed out at critical journalists, blaming them for extremism ahead of midterm congressional elections on November 6.
“There is great anger in our Country caused in part by inaccurate, and even fraudulent, reporting of the news,” Trump tweeted.
“The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People, must stop the open & obvious hostility & report the news accurately & fairly. That will do much to put out the flame of Anger and Outrage.”
Trump has said he plans to go to Pittsburgh, where Bowers, 46, is accused of going on a shooting spree on Saturday during prayers at the Tree of Life synagogue.
However, with fierce arguments erupting over whether Trump’s own daily rhetoric is feeding the increasingly dangerous climate, even the subject of a possible visit has become a bone of contention.
Jeffrey Myers, a Tree of Life rabbi who was present when the attack started, told CNN that “the president of the United States is always welcome.”
But also speaking on CNN, a former president of the synagogue, Lynette Lederman, told Trump on Monday to stay away, calling him a “purveyor of hate speech.”
Outside the synagogue on Monday, a trickle of mourners braved the raw cold to leave candles and bouquets.
Eleven identical white wooden stars were laid out, each inscribed with a name of the slain, together with a pink heart and a verse from a psalm: “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Even there, the prospect of a Trump visit was causing discord.
“Not if he’s going to divide us further,” Arlene Wolk, a neighbour, said. “This is not a political event, but personally I’d just as soon he not come.” Adam, another local, who did not want to give his last name, said the alleged murderer’s rampage should not be politicised and that Trump’s visit would change nothing.
“I don’t think this guy did what he did because of the president. I think they’re giving too much credit there and there’s too much partisanship in that regard,” Adam said.
Police say the shooter told them he hated Jews because they were “committing genocide to his people.” Social media posts attributed to Bowers indicate he is also virulently anti-immigrant and anti-muslim.