June 13, 2016

Here Are 25 Statements Republicans Gave About the Massacre in Orlando. Guess Which Word None of Them Used?

They say it when pushing discriminatory legisation but won’t say it now.

YouTube/Anthony Antonello

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In the aftermath of Sunday’s horrific shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando that killed 49 people and injured 53 others, many politicians have extended condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the city of Orlando. President Obama addressed the nation from the Oval Office on Sunday, and all three remaining presidential candidates issued statements condemning the attack.

But among responses from conservatives, there’s a trend worth noting: They repeatedly fail to acknowledge that the shooting victims were targeted because they were gay or transgender. Dozens of statements from lawmakers acknowledge “the victims and their families” without mentioning what the victims had in common. Others highlight the role of Islamic radicalization but ignore blatant homophobia. Take a look at these 25 statements on the shooting that sidestep the identity that the victims shared.

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YOUR GIFT DOUBLES THROUGH FRIDAY

Right now, every dollar you give goes twice as far—but only until Friday’s midnight deadline. This is the moment to make your support count double.

In a climate where journalists face mounting pressure to back down, stay silent, or soften their reporting, Mother Jones refuses to flinch. We’re pushing back against intimidation and delivering fierce, independent journalism that holds power accountable—no matter who’s trying to silence us.

But here’s the reality: We’re a nonprofit newsroom with zero corporate backing and no financial cushion. We depend entirely on readers like you to fund the investigations that matter most.

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