The White House communications shop issued a press release condemning MS-13 gang criminals as animals after media outcry the previous week.
The release was titled “What You Need To Know About The Violent Animals Of MS-13” and followed President Donald Trump’s use of the word “animals” to describe the gang members in a Wednesday roundtable. Trump’s comment was quickly portrayed by several members of the national media and other outlets as disparaging of illegal immigrants. (RELATED: Chuck Todd Is Defending Trump Over The ‘Animals’ Comment)
A tough take down by the California governor after @realDonaldTrump calls people trying to get into the country “animals” not people. https://t.co/LPKiHPJaWZ
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) May 16, 2018
Trump lashed out at undocumented immigrants during a White House meeting, calling those trying to breach the country’s borders “animals” https://t.co/aQNeu29T6e pic.twitter.com/ogrFKaWyDZ
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 16, 2018
The President and White House press secretary blasted the media for their reaction saying he would “always” refer to such gang criminals as animals. Sarah Sanders similarly noted that calling MS-13 gang criminals did not even go far enough in describing their depravity. (RELATED: Trump Doubles Down On MS-13 Animals Comment)
Fake News Media had me calling Immigrants, or Illegal Immigrants, “Animals.” Wrong! They were begrudgingly forced to withdraw their stories. I referred to MS 13 Gang Members as “Animals,” a big difference – and so true. Fake News got it purposely wrong, as usual!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2018