Trump Accused of Congratulating Himself After Tragedy

Donald Trump was criticized Saturday for taking a "self-congratulatory" tone in the wake of tragedy. Again. NBA player Dwyane Wade's cousin Nykea Aldridge was killed when she was hit by a stray bullet while pushing her baby in a stroller Friday in Chicago, CNN reports. On Saturday, Trump tweeted: "Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!” Hours later, he corrected the spelling of Wade's name, according to CBS News. An hour after that, Trump tweeted condolences to the family, as well as his "thoughts and prayers." He went on to call Wade a "great guy" during a rally Saturday in Iowa.

Trump was widely accused of crassly exploiting a tragedy. Actor Don Cheadle was particularly outspoken, calling Trump "truly a POS" and requesting he "die in a grease fire." Tim Kaine also called Trump out for the tweet, saying sympathy is the "only reaction that is appropriate right now." A recent poll showed Trump with only 1% support among black voters. The New York Times reports he's been trying to change that by talking about how bad life is for black people in the US and asking, "What the hell do you have to lose?" Many saw Saturday's tweet as a sequel of sorts to when Trump tweeted "appreciate the congrats" following the massacre at an Orlando gay club. (More Donald Trump stories.)