Donald Trump's Response to Orlando Shooting Quickly Receives Criticism

Disturbing events that took place early Sunday morning in Orlando, Florida left 50 people dead and another 53 injured, making it the biggest mass shooting in U.S. history.

While most public figures are condemning the incident as horrific, unthinkable, and devastating, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump took a slightly different approach. On Sunday afternoon he tweeted out the following:

Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don't want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2016

But don’t simply take for granted that Trump actually was “right on Islamic terrorism.” A spokesperson for the FBI told CNN that investigators suspect the shooter may have some “leanings towards (Islamic terrorism), but right now we can’t say definitely.” Law enforcement sources claim that the attacker called 911 and pledged his allegiance to ISIS, but officials stress that they have no immediate evidence of a connection to ISIS or any other foreign extremist group and ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

The FBI is also investigating the possibility that this was a hate crime. Pulse Club is a gay nightclub and the attack occurred during Pride month, which began in response to violence against the LGBTQ community. Investigators have spoken to the shooter’s family and discovered that he has expressed anti-gay sentiment.

Whether or not Trump actually is correct about the shooter’s motivations, his tweet quickly attracted criticism.

https://twitter.com/sacca/status/742038391215116288

Trump is truly an awful person. https://t.co/vQp3CQ9Nmv

— John Legend (@johnlegend) June 12, 2016

.@realDonaldTrump You're congratulating yourself because 50 people are dead this morning in a horrific tragedy?

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) June 12, 2016