Rosie O'Donnell Apologizes! Wild Claims About Shooter Backfire!
Rosie O'Donnell is facing backlash after falsely claiming the Minneapolis school shooter was a Republican and a MAGA supporter. The comedian issued an apology on social media after her initial comments sparked outrage and were quickly debunked by evidence.
The Initial Claims
In a now-deleted video, O'Donnell reacted to news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, which tragically left two children dead and many others injured. She stated, "What do you know? It was a white guy, Republican, MAGA person. What do you know? White supremacists." These claims, however, were not supported by facts.
Evidence Contradicts O'Donnell's Statements
Reports later revealed that the shooter, Robin Westman, had a history of expressing hatred towards Donald Trump. Westman even scrawled "Kill Donald Trump" on a firearm magazine. Furthermore, the shooter's manifesto and social media posts contained racist, anti-Semitic, and nihilistic sentiments, as well as expressions of despair over gender identity.
O'Donnell's Apology
Acknowledging her mistake, O'Donnell posted an apology video, stating that she "did not do my due diligence" before making the "emotional" statement. She admitted to assuming the shooter fit a typical profile and expressed regret for spreading misinformation. "I assumed, like most shooters, they followed a standard MO and had standard, you know, feelings of… you know, NRA-loving kind of gun people," O’Donnell continued. "Anyway, the truth is I messed up, and when you mess up, you fess up. I’m sorry. This is my apology video and I hope it’s enough."
The incident highlights the dangers of spreading unverified information, especially in the wake of tragic events. It also underscores the importance of responsible reporting and fact-checking in the age of social media.