Multiple Democratic candidates and elected officials in Tennessee are being denounced on social media for their reactions to former President Donald Trump surviving what appeared to be an attempted assassination at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
At approximately 6:13 p.m. on Saturday, according to the U.S. Secret Service, a “suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.”
The shooter, who shot and killed one spectator and injured two others, was fatally shot by Secret Service personnel.
Trump was grazed by a single bullet in his upper right ear.
As social media became flooded with reactions to the apparent assassination attempt on Trump, posts from Tami Sawyer, the Democratic Nominee for Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk, Tennessee State Representative Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis), and Tennessee State Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis) drew extensive criticism.
Parkinson’s post of “I certainly hope this is not a staged act. But…” was denounced by his colleagues in the Tennessee House of Representatives and others who called on the congressman to resign from office.
I certainly hope this is not a staged act. But…🙄
— State Representative Antonio Parkinson (@TNRepParkinson) July 13, 2024
While Parkinson (pictured above, right) later posted that he was “glad that the former president is doing ok” and his “heart goes out to the families of the victims of today’s violence,” Sawyer did not follow suit after she agreed with Parkinson’s original post questioning the authenticity of the shooting.
Sawyer replied to Parkinson’s original post with the comment, “Looks like it to me,” seemingly agreeing with the idea that the shooting may have been staged.
DESPICABLE: @tamisawyer (D) says President Trump staged an assassination attempt. Then mocks him.
She's deleted her tweets, would be a shame if her venom went viral.
This disgusting leftist is currently on a ballot. Vote accordingly. pic.twitter.com/OgDonxX4GQ
— KWAM News Radio 990 AM Memphis (@Mighty990KWAM) July 14, 2024
The Democratic candidate also commented on another post of a photo of Trump raising his fist in the air moments after getting shot in the right ear, mocking the former president by comparing his defiant gesture to a “Black power fist.”
The Black power fist though. 😫
— Tami Sawyer (@tamisawyer) July 13, 2024
When called out for her comments, one of which has been deleted, Sawyer accused media outlets and others for “misusing” her words.
I am not afraid of people pointing out my doubt about anything convicted rapist, liar and felon Donald Trump is a part of… if I were to apologize for anything, it’s that I deleted my disbelief out of fear that hateful people would do what they’re doing – misusing my words.
— Tami Sawyer (@tamisawyer) July 14, 2024
Sawyer said, “I am not afraid of people pointing out my doubt about anything convicted rapist, liar and felon Donald Trump is a part of… if I were to apologize for anything, it’s that I deleted my disbelief out of fear that hateful people would do what they’re doing – misusing my words.”
State Senator Lamar (pictured above, left) was also denounced Saturday for posting and deleting a statement in response to the shooting.
Lamar, in a post that has since been deleted, said, “While I am praying for former President Trump and hope he makes a full recovery…the extremism from the MAGA regime has brought us to this moment.”
Tennessee State Senator London Lamar blames MAGA for the assassination attempt against Trump in a since deleted tweet.
Disgusting. Repulsive. Vile. There aren't enough words. pic.twitter.com/T3kM5jhiWi
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 14, 2024
In another post that has since been deleted, Lamar said, “The same people who want me to show sympathy are the same ones making racist comments, threats of violence in my inbox and phone right now. The hypocrisy[.]”
Lamar also followed up on her original post by blaming the shooting on “gun violence.”
Now that Trump has stated he’s fine… I wonder will he consider sensible gun laws? Gun violence is too rampant in our country and I hope this situation changes the minds of his followers and Republican lawmakers.
— Senator London Lamar (@SenatorLamar) July 13, 2024
“Now that Trump has stated he’s fine… I wonder will he consider sensible gun laws? Gun violence is too rampant in our country and I hope this situation changes the minds of his followers and Republican lawmakers,” Lamar said.
Trump has since spoken out amid Saturday’s shooting, writing in a Truth Social post, “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.”
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” Trump added. “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “London Lamar” by London Lamar and “Antonio Parkinson” by Antonio Parkinson.
I see we have a first amendment hater.
How can these black Democrats continue to kiss up to a party that only takes advantage of them!
Could it be that they are out to gain personal advantage instead of really serving their constituents!
SHAME!
that shining city on a hill, memphis tn.
safe, clean, bright.
right?
Gee, what do these “people” all have in common? Yet, their constituents keep reelecing them. They have done absolutely nothing for them over the decades, yet, same old, same old.
This is the type of hate infused into society by the democrats. Yes, I do hold democrats for the attempted assassination of President Trump. Their constant stream of lies serve to stoke up their narrow base. If the person targeted was black this same group would be screaming racism if it was white Republicans alleging the same. Yes, I am calling the hate filled democrats racists. How reckless, how mean spirited these people are today. Maybe it is time we revisit reparation from another angle. Maybe it is time for these racists to pay those allegedly wronged by their actions. They have crossed the line.
All 3 are from Memphis. Memphis is the # 1 Most Dangerous City in the U.S.
Seriously, don’t go there unless you must and carry a gun and watch your back.
Those 3 people are an example why Memphis never improves.
Houses in Memphis are cheap because people don’t want to live there. They sell for less than half of what they would sell for in a good city.
Example – in 2018 the President of the Memphis Chamber was randomly murdered – shot in the back of the head. Ever heard of that?
And they make laws in Tennessee? No wonder the country is in deep excreta!
Tennessee Democrats clearly demonstrate that they are children of Satan himself!
Just keep dancing while the minions of the devil continue pulling your strings.
Unbelievable the vileness that runs through these monsters.
They want respect, inclusiveness and even reparations…yet they speak and act like this.
No one, repeat NO ONE respects what these horrible people say and do.
They’ve gotta go…pronto.
Tennessee can do better than these three…..all three of them should be removed. Lamar should go look in a mirror.
Well, they’re from Memphis…it’s not like our state’s best and brightest EVER come from THERE.
Craphole. This type of leadership shows ya why.
Alex Jones was sued for every thing he owned for saying Sandy Hook was staged.
Wasn’t Alex Jones sentenced to a billion dollar fine for promoting conspiracy theories by the victims families of Sandy Hook?
That is precisely what should be filed against these knuckleheads.
Enjoy your new rules.