Taking to social media, American actor Morgan Freeman slammed the US President and tweeted, "This is child abuse. When the 8 El Paso victims refused to meet with their perpetrator, Trump ordered a newly orphaned baby back for this photo op. This baby just lost both parents in the horrific massacre unleashed in the name of Donald J. Trump, who couldn’t be happier."
This is child abuse. When the 8 El Paso victims refused to meet with their perpetrator, Trump ordered a newly orphaned baby back for this photo op. This baby just lost both parents in the horrific massacre unleashed in the name of Donald J. Trump, who couldn’t be happier. pic.twitter.com/2RdDsMVZVp
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) August 9, 2019
On a visit to El Paso, Texas following the shooting at a Walmart store that left at least 20 killed and several others injured, US President Donald Trump posed with the baby, whose parents Andre and Jordan Anchondo were shot dead on August 3.
The boy, named Paul, was brought to the hospital at the request of the White House during Donald Trump's visit, The Guardian report said.
Taking to Twitter Democratic strategist Greg Pinelo wrote, "I would need 280,000 characters to say how furious I am."
This is a photo of Trump grinning while Melania holds a baby orphaned by the shooting. A baby who was taken from home and forced to serve as a prop at a photo-op for the very monster whose hate killed her/his parents.
— Greg Pinelo (@gregpinelo) August 9, 2019
I would need 280,000 characters to say how furious I am. pic.twitter.com/4umSc9BQHu
Greg added, "I hate Donald Trump. I believe he's a criminal, a racist, a misogynist and a sexual predator."
I hate Donald Trump. I believe he's a criminal, a racist, a misogynist and a sexual predator.
— Greg Pinelo (@gregpinelo) August 9, 2019
But if you told me Trump would use an orphan baby for political damage control after he inspired a racist massacre, I'd have said "c'mon you sound crazy, even HE wouldn't do that."
Here's how people reacted to the image:
It is child abuse and it’s disgusting. What is wrong with these people!!!!!
— Shazam (@ShazamABlama) August 9, 2019
I hope this image haunts them, forever. That poor child, my heart is broken
— ICantDecideStuff (@cantcodeforthat) August 10, 2019
It reminds me of those awful photos of big game hunters squatting over their- I don’t want to even say it disgusting who does that?
— Gabrielle- H◾️gh ◾️◾️i◾️st◾️◾️◾️ of Redaction (@Minervasbard) August 9, 2019
This is just very disturbing. What is Melania smiling about? This baby is an orphan thanks to her husband’s hateful rhetoric! This makes me sick!
— carol williams (@carolswilliams_) August 9, 2019
The most disgusting thing he's done that we are aware of...
— Catherine Fisher (@catfisher) August 9, 2019
She's holding the baby like she would a bouquet of flowers at a beauty pagent.
— Lisa Torres (@immrstea) August 9, 2019
My question is, who is the legal guardian? Who is in charge of this baby that allowed him to be used as a prop? We all expect this behaviour from Trump and co. But who is watching over this kid??
— Paulina Diaz (@diazpaulina) August 9, 2019
I am genuinely confused and horrified by this image. Am I taking this the wrong way?
— Bryan William Jones (@BWJones) August 9, 2019
Why is Trump and Melania posing, GRINNING, and giving a thumbs up with the infant who’s parents were murdered by the shooter in El Paso.
Seriously… WTH is going on? pic.twitter.com/0YA2hIQeP3
According to The Guardian, the baby was injured with broken fingers, after his mother died trying to save him from the shootings and her body fell on him. Paul's father had dived to try to shield the baby's mother as bullets flew.
Donald Trump did not meet any of the eight survivors, who are being treated in hospital, the report said. It further added that three of eight people are critical or do not speak English, while five others have declined the offer.
