In the last 4 major mass killings, Trump's first response has been to pat himself on the back

Donald Trump's first responses to the past four mass shootings have had one thing in common: an air of self-congratulation.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Donald Trump's first tweet following the news of the attack in Orlando? "Really bad shooting in Orlando. Police investigating possible terrorism. Many people dead and wounded." His second? "Clinton made a false ad about me where I was imitating a reporter GROVELING after he changed his story. I would NEVER mock disabled. Shame!"

In the hours since it was confirmed that 49 people were killed at the hands of a lone gunman in an Orlando nightclub, Trump has been heavily criticized for his response, and particularly for a third tweet congratulating himself for "being right on radical Islamic terrorism" (although he added, "I don't want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance").

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.