Don Cheadle Slams ‘POS’ Donald Trump for Politicizing Shooting Death of Nykea Aldridge
UPDATED 2:00 p.m. ET:
After facing backlash for an earlier tweet, Donald Trump reacted by writing, “My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers.”
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
ORIGINAL:
Don Cheadle blasted Donald Trump on Saturday after the presidential candidate politicized the death of Nykea Aldridge, the cousin of NBA playing Dwyane Wade.
Trump originally tweeted with the basketball player’s name spelled incorrectly, but later re-tweeted the same sentiments. “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!”
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
Don Cheadle quoted Trump’s original tweet, writing “You are truly a POS,” which he promptly followed up with another tweet, “Sorry. I misspelled ‘die in a grease fire.'”
You are truly a POS https://t.co/cyTwxgxwDh
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
Sorry. I misspelled "die in a grease fire." https://t.co/16K2iq1pF4
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
Those first two launched dozens of tweets condemning Trump. When one twitter user tweeted at Cheadle, “he didn’t send any condolences or anything , I found that to be in poor taste,” the actor wrote, “He doesn’t give a fkk. More red meat to his alt-right troglodytes.”
He doesn't give a fkk. More red meat to his alt-right troglodytes. https://t.co/TmfDT7Utw7
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
He took other jabs at Trump including, “He can’t name all 50 states.”
He can't name all 50 states … https://t.co/EPLMXmwr30
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 27, 2016
Cheadle wasn’t the only celebrity upset by Trump’s tweet. Singer Michelle Williams tweeted at him, “An absolute disgrace.”
@realDonaldTrump An absolute disgrace
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) August 27, 2016
Trump’s tweet was a reaction to Wade, who tweeted on Friday, “My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough.”
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
According to the Chicago Tribune, Aldridge was taken to the hospital where she died after being shot in the head and the arm on Friday.
Trump is in the process of trying to win over the African-American vote. During a rally on Wednesday, he said, “Hillary Clinton is a bigot who sees people of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future.”
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