As Hillary Clinton addressed a rally just south of Orlando, in Kissimmee, Florida, on Monday night, she gave her condolences to the friends and family members of the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. "I know how many people, family members, loved ones, and friends are still grieving," she said.
In the audience watching just over her shoulder was Seddique Mateen, the father of the nightclub shooter.
"Hillary Clinton is good for United States versus Donald Trump, who has no solutions," Mateen told the NewsChannel 5 reporters who noticed him. When the reporters asked if Mateen thought people might be surprised to see him at the rally, he said, "Why should they be surprised? I love the United States, and I've been living here a long time." Mateen is also reported to have gone on "anti-U.S. tirades" on his YouTube TV show, and been an outspoken supporter of the Afghan Taliban.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Mateen has long condemned his son's actions, and told the reporters on Monday, "I spoke a lot about that and wish that my son joined the Army and fought ISIS. That would be much better."
It isn't clear if the Clinton campaign knew Mateen was in the audience. "It's a Democratic party, so anyone can join," Mateen said.
-
Pakistan: Trump’s ‘favourite field marshal’ takes chargeIn the Spotlight Asim Munir’s control over all three branches of Pakistan’s military gives him ‘sweeping powers’ – and almost unlimited freedom to use them
-
Codeword: December 6, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
-
Crossword: December 6, 2025The daily crossword from The Week
-
Trump tightens restrictions for work visasSpeed Read The length of work permits for asylum seekers and refugees has been shortened from five years to 18 months
-
Supreme Court revives Texas GOP gerrymanderSpeed Read Texas Republicans can use the congressional map they approved in August at President Donald Trump’s behest
-
Boat strike footage rattles some lawmakersSpeed Read ‘Disturbing’ footage of the Sept. 2 attack on an alleged drug-trafficking boat also shows the second strike that killed two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage
-
Trump boosts gas cars in fuel economy rollbackspeed read Watering down fuel efficiency standards is another blow to former President Biden’s effort to boost electric vehicles
-
Hegseth’s Signal chat put troops in peril, probe findsSpeed Read The defense secretary risked the lives of military personnel and violated Pentagon rules, says new report
-
Trump pardons Texas Democratic congressmanspeed read Rep. Henry Cuellar was charged with accepting foreign bribes tied to Azerbaijan and Mexico
-
GOP wins tight House race in red Tennessee districtSpeed Read Republicans maintained their advantage in the House
-
Trump targets ‘garbage’ Somalis ahead of ICE raidsSpeed Read The Department of Homeland Security will launch an immigration operation targeting Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
