NBA star Dwyane Wade lamented that his cousin’s fatal shooting was used for “political gain” by Donald Trump in a Friday interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
The Republican nominee claimed that the murder of Nykea Aldridge, who was shot last weekend in Chicago while pushing her child in a stroller, would compel black Americans to vote for him.
“I was grateful that it started a conversation but on the other hand, it just left a bad taste in my mouth because of what my family is dealing with and what our city of Chicago is dealing with,” Wade told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “And it looks like it’s being used as political gain.”
Less than 24 hours after Aldridge’s death, Trump referenced the shooting in a tweet and wrote, “Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”
Dwyane Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2016
A subsequent tweet offered “condolences” to Wade and his family.
Wade told Stephanopoulos that he felt “conflicted” about the tweet and the backlash that it sparked from critics who accused Trump of political opportunism and insensitivity to the Wade family.
“My cousin’s death was used as a ploy for political gain,” Wade said. “On the other hand, it’s a national story. It goes back to that for me. I want eyes on the city. I want us to be able to do more together.”
Trump has faced criticism before for using tragic events as an opportunity to highlight his political positions. After 49 people were murdered in June at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Trump sent out a tweet saying, “Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism.”
I understand Wade’s desire to have “eyes on the city”, because gun violence in Chicago is a major problem that needs to be addressed.
Except Trump offers no hope, no solution, and frankly, doesn’t really care. He thought he saw an opportunity and cheaply used a tragedy to help his flailing campaign, then blithely moved on to demagoging immigrants.
No lie. Because with Cheeto Jesus, it’s all about the Orange.
Thank you for speaking out, D-Wade. It had to be said…
Sorry for your loss, Dwyane, and for the city you love.
I think that Wade is trying to spin this as best he can but unsuccessfully. There was no more discussion about Chicago’s senseless, pervasive violence driven by Rump’s outburst than there was before. They’re still back at square one.