Comedian-turned-political activist Chelsea Handler was criticized on Twitter Sunday for blaming Republicans for Sunday's horrific mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Shortly after reports of the shooting surfaced, Handler tweeted that "Innocent people go to church on Sunday to honor their God, and while doing so, get shot in [sic] killed. What country? America. Why? Republicans."
Innocent people go to church on Sunday to honor their God, and while doing so, get shot in killed. What country? America. Why? Republicans.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) November 5, 2017
At the time of Handler's tweet, nothing was known about the identity of the shooter (aside that he was now deceased) or any of the victims.
Needless to say, she was dragged for her remarkably insensitive take on the situation:
Per NPR, 72.7% of Wilson County voted for Trump — the Republican. Great hot take, @chelseahandler. pic.twitter.com/Lno5NKPoB0
— Amanda Prestigiacomo (@AmandaPresto) November 5, 2017
Few details out, and @chelseahandler blames ALL republicans for Sutherland Springs massacre. Despicable woman https://t.co/TnOwjDESbg
— Chet Cannon (@Chet_Cannon) November 5, 2017
Classy https://t.co/lNCGvJbsQV
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 5, 2017
Democrats tried to assassinate Congressman Scalise, and a Democrat murdered dozens in Las Vegas. Wanna place blame? Let’s do it.
— Cade Marsh (@CadeMarshFL) November 5, 2017
Did you similarly blame Muslims after the terrorist attack in NYC last week? You wouldn't have standards if it weren't for double standards.
— Allie Stuckey (@conservmillen) November 5, 2017
It should be noted that Handler made zero comment on Twitter when scores of innocent people who went to church on Sunday to honor their God were blown up in Egypt on Palm Sunday. (Understandable, as there probably aren't too many members of the GOP in the Egyptian wing of ISIS.)
While this is pretty much par for the course for a left-wing personality's response to a mass shooting, it's especially interesting to note that Handler had previously expressed an interest in reaching out and getting to know people of different political and religious beliefs and eventually making a documentary about the experience. So far, those efforts don't seem like they're exactly off to a great start.
