WASHINGTON - US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has sparked a firestorm on social media after he exploited the shooting death of an African-American mother in Chicago. Nykea Aldridge, the cousin of Dwyane Wade, a top American basketball star, was caught on crossfire and shot in the head and arm while pushing a baby stroller on Friday afternoon. “My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough,” Wade tweeted after the event.
Instead of offering condolences, Trump took to Twitter on Saturday, looking ahead to Election Day.
“Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago,” Trump wrote. “Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”
Trump, who initially did not express sympathy for the family of the slain woman, Nykea Aldridge, later in the day posted a Twitter message offering his condolences.
Trump has been courting African-American voters by painting a dire picture of life in minority communities, one troubled by poverty, violence and dysfunction, especially in “inner cities.”His case to black voters is that minority communities have suffered because of failed Democratic policies, and that they should support his candidacy.
“What the hell do you have to lose?” he has said frequently over the past week in a rhetorical question aimed at African-Americans.
The message on the killing of African-American mother stunned many on social media.
“There’s nothing more horrifying than a presidential candidate patting himself on the back after someone is killed,” someone posted on Twitter.
“I’m sure you are all Dwayne Wade’s family can even think about right now!!” read another post.
“You’re a national disgrace. My god, man,” another user said.
Trump had initially misspelled Wade’s first name and later posted another tweet, correcting the spelling but leaving the rest of the message intact.
Several hours after the initial tweet, however, the Republican presidential nominee offered his condolences to Wade and his family.