So much tragedy this weekend, in both El Paso and Dayton…
Celebrities, politicians, entertainers, and public figures across the spectrum all have a LOT to say about the two mass shootings this weekend, from El Paso’s tragic WalMart rampage to the late-night Dayton bar shooting that killed nearly another dozen innocent people. And enough is enough now for celebs and others on social media, as evidenced by the massive, massive flood on angry tweets that have surfaced in the last 24 hours.
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It all came down on so many levels across social media this weekend, including a MAJOR controversy started by a popular scientist, ad a tone-deaf sequence of tweets from our very own tone-deaf President.
Ch-ch-check out all the highlights (or, lowlights?) below…
Neil deGrasse Tyson
It was NOT a good weekend for popular astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. The scientist tweeted a series of facts that fell on deaf ears, seeming FAR more tone-deaf than anything as he got criticized heavily for it after posting.
Here’s what he had to say that caused him to trend for much of Sunday (below):
In the past 48hrs, the USA horrifically lost 34 people to mass shootings.
On average, across any 48hrs, we also lose…
500 to Medical errors
300 to the Flu
250 to Suicide
200 to Car Accidents
40 to Homicide via HandgunOften our emotions respond more to spectacle than to data.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 4, 2019
Uhhh… yeah… OK…
Look, we totally understand what you’re trying to say there, Neil, but that maybe wasn’t the best way to go about it???
Social media users BLASTED him all afternoon because of that tweet, as you can see in a very small sampling (below):
Neil DeGrasse Tyson reads at a PhD level, and still can't read the fucking room.
— The People's Dental Commissariat ¦ BLM ¦ 1312 (@_Rewhan) August 4, 2019
Neil deGrasse Tyson (screaming into a casket): scientifically you died of blood loss and not a gun shot
— Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) August 4, 2019
Everybody: "Mass shootings are bad"
Neil deGrasse Tyson: pic.twitter.com/kGf4mfGZ1q
— Casey Spivey (@caseyspivey) August 4, 2019
We're working to prevent medical errors.
We're working to prevent the flu.
We're working to prevent suicide.
We're working to prevent car accident.
We're doing fuck all about mass shootings.Spot the difference, Neil.
— Rekalty (@Rekalty) August 4, 2019
Thanks. I didn't think I could get any more depressed today. What a completely sick and ludicrous thought from somebody I am 100 percent sure knows better.
— D. Earl Stephens (@EarlOfEnough) August 4, 2019
The worst thing about that Neil Degrasse Tyson tweet is that Actually, a whole bunch of women accused him of rape and sexual harassment and we all just sort of moved on.
— The face toucher (@JonIsAwesomest) August 4, 2019
The only reason to engage with Neil deGrasse Tyson is to constantly remind everyone that 4 women have accused him of rape and sexual misconduct
— ????Hanna Jameson???? (@Hanna_Jameson) August 4, 2019
FUCK OFF!!!! There's your data!!!!
— Smash Mouth (@smashmouth) August 4, 2019
Welcome to 2019, where Smash Mouth is telling Neil DeGrasse Tyson to “fuck off” and most people are siding with Smash Mouth.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) August 4, 2019
Yikes!!!
Not great, Neil!!!
Massacre Mitch…
Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader and a Republican from Kentucky, also took a TON of heat this weekend for seeming complicit in promoting and continuing gun violence unabated. Social media users criticized the Senator this afternoon, arguing he has continuously avoided bringing legislation to the Senate Floor that could stop gun violence and mass shootings — and they gave him a very, very unfortunate nickname (below):
Earlier this year, the House passed a bill requiring background checks on all firearm sales but @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell wouldn't bring it to the floor for a vote.
It's time to reconvene the Senate now to pass the bill in light of Gilroy, El Paso and Dayton. #MassacreMitch
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) August 4, 2019
#MassacreMitch is NRA’s bitch. Funnily enough the NRA is Russia’s psyops and it all circles back to #MoscowMitch pic.twitter.com/ajoI3Jfb8Q
— Ilsa ???????? (@SolarCycle_25) August 4, 2019
“My name is #MassacreMitch and I approve of mass shootings.” pic.twitter.com/oaqFlQgSfN
— Rick Yaeger (@RickYaeger) August 4, 2019
#MassacreMitch is TRENDING pic.twitter.com/pVCnpjxTRE
— Resist (@MPC1LOVE) August 4, 2019
Overheard: He’s not just #MoscowMitch. He’s #MassacreMitch.
Allow Senate votes on gun control now.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 4, 2019
Wow!!!!
McConnell is gonna HATE that one… too bad it’s trending on Twitter and appears to have already stuck!
Donald Trump
Donald Trump took a long time to react to both mass shootings this weekend, likely because he was busy playing golf at one of his many resorts.
When the President finally did react, he offered up several mealy-mouthed tweets of support that many thought didn’t go far enough in showing strong, effective, and sensitive leadership during what has become an extremely difficult and tragic situation (below):
Terrible shootings in ElPaso, Texas. Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement. Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2019
….Melania and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the great people of Texas.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
The FBI, local and state law enforcement are working together in El Paso and in Dayton, Ohio. Information is rapidly being accumulated in Dayton. Much has already be learned in El Paso. Law enforcement was very rapid in both instances. Updates will be given throughout the day!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
….The flags at the White House will be lowered today through Thursday, August 8. Melania and I are praying for all those impacted by this unspeakable act of evil!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
God bless the people of El Paso, Texas. God bless the people of Dayton, Ohio.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
Too little, too late, man.
It’s kind of interesting, too — most Presidents would speak to the country at some point during a time like this, but where the hell is Trump??
Seriously, is this not something he can do?! What an embarrassment to all of us. Where is the leadership when we all could really use it???
More Celebs…
Other celebs — led by John Legend — shared more reactions to this weekend’s tragedies and the President’s role in fomenting anger across the country, as well (below):
When we condemn the racist venom coming from the President's mouth and point out the bigotry of his policies, it's not an academic question, it's not a political game, it's about life and death. The President regularly inspires killers. He is a part of the problem
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 4, 2019
Friendly reminder: there has been more than 1 mass shooting per day (251 in total) this year… and of the people who didn’t die and went to the hospital, just remember that 62% of all American bankruptcies are due to medical bills. #GodBlessAmerica
— Armie Hammer (@armiehammer) August 4, 2019
There are no words. My heart breaks for the friends and families of the El Paso victims. Praying for all of you. We must do more to stop these senseless acts of gun violence.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) August 4, 2019
Woke up to the news of #DaytonOH shooting. This senseless loss of life is unbearable. When will our US representatives give the people of this country the common sense gun laws we are all demanding? I’m calling my congressman. Again. @Everytown
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) August 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/ConstanceWu/status/1157811779633704961
Heartbroken hearing the news from El Paso. Sending my thoughts and prayers to all the victims and families. So sad. So senseless. We need change.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) August 4, 2019
Any member of congress who is not actively in the fight for gun safety reform, is not fit to represent us. Period. The inaction is reprehensible. 2 mass shootings in 24 hours? We simply can’t stand by and let this continue to happen. #VoteThemOut
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) August 4, 2019
I am sick to my stomach over what has happened in El Paso today. I can’t believe this is happening in my country and no one is doing anything about it. Who has to die for laws to change?
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) August 3, 2019
Amen, America! Especially you, Rihanna!!!
We’re certainly FAR from a perfect country, but at least there’s enough people here who have enough common sense to understand what needs to be done about all of this unacceptable gun violence!!!
Now if only our politicians would get up and follow suit, and do something to protect America’s innocent civilians and citizens!!!!
[Image via WENN]
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