I could be nice and express sympathy for Kirk ... but why waste time? [View all]

___In a glaring omission, Donald Trump skipped the funeral service for Minnesota Congresswoman Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert—victims of a politically motivated shooting by a MAGA-aligned gunman. While former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both attended the somber ceremony, Trump remained notably absent.

On June 14, 2025, a masked gunman, identified as Vance Boelter, invaded the home of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman and fatally shooting both. The assailant also injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife in a spree driven by extreme MAGA ideology. Boelter’s weapons included a hit list naming dozens of Democratic politicians and reproductive rights advocates.

Former President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit, kneeling in prayer beside the casket and crossing himself. He was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, who extended condolences to the grieving children of the Hortmans. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, moved by grief, delivered a heartfelt eulogy urging unity and respect—a stark contrast to the political rancor that preceded the attack.

Notably absent was Donald Trump. He not only failed to attend the ceremony but also declined to call Governor Walz to express sympathy, dismissing the gesture as “a waste of time.” When asked, Trump quipped, “I could be nice and call him … but why waste time?”.

Trump’s calculated absence—and lack of any official statement regarding the funeral—ignited widespread backlash. Critics argue that by refraining from acknowledging the victims or offering support, Trump sent a message that the horrors of political violence don’t merit his attention unless politically expedient.

This is not the first time Trump’s omissions during moments of national mourning have drawn criticism. For instance, during the laying in state of Vanessa Guillén, Trump was accused of a separate snub, reportedly quipping over her funeral cost. Such recurring patterns reinforce concerns over a consistent disregard for bipartisan unity.

https://usnewssphere.com/maga-funeral-snub-donald-trump-ignored