Yesterday, President Trump hosted a “listening session” at the White House, inviting survivors, students, and the families of previous school shooting victims, including those from the recent tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The purpose of the gathering was to provide these individuals a platform to share their experiences and suggest ways to enhance student safety in the face of gun violence. However, what caught the attention of many was the president’s conspicuous sheet of notes, which seemed to suggest he needed a prompt to express empathy.
Indeed, it is concerning that the leader of our nation requires written reminders to convey compassion to those who have suffered due to the epidemic of school shootings. While it’s understandable that someone in his position might utilize notes for such an important conversation, the content of those notes is what truly matters.
The observing photographers quickly documented Trump’s notes, which included questions like, “What would you most want me to know about your experience?” and “What can we do to help you feel safe?” However, the fifth bullet point sparked the most discussion: “I hear you.” This implies that someone tasked with preparing talking points for Trump felt it necessary to explicitly remind him to acknowledge the pain of others. It raises concerns that, without such prompts, he might default to discussing unrelated topics, such as crowd sizes or his personal accolades.
As an American, it’s disheartening to realize that our president requires a guide to navigate basic expressions of sympathy towards the victims of unspeakable tragedies. It should be instinctual for a leader to show care for the individuals affected by such events, and he shouldn’t need a note to do so.
Once images of the president’s notes circulated on social media, reactions poured in. While some might argue that any effort is better than none, it’s critical to remember that Trump previously placed blame on MSD students regarding the actions of the shooter. This behavior exemplifies a troubling disconnect.
During challenging times like the recent shooting in Parkland, citizens look to their leaders for comfort and solidarity. It is essential that a president naturally understands the importance of showing support to those affected by violence, without needing reminders written down.
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In summary, the incident highlights a concerning need for the president to have prompts for basic empathy, raising questions about his understanding of the emotional weight carried by survivors of tragic events.