The linkage between the death of Nykea Aldridge, Wade’s cousin, and Trump’s effort to woo African-American voters triggered swift outrage online from basketball fans, celebrities, and others.
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Wade has reacted to his cousin’s shooting only online, tweeting Friday: “My cousin was killed today in Chicago”. “Just what I have been saying”.
26, of the 7500 block of South Wentworth Avenue, and Derren Sorrells, 22, of the 6000 block of South Indiana Avenue, were each charged with first degree murder and attempted first degree murder.
Wade’s mother, Jolinda Wade, a pastor at New Creation church, spoke on behalf of the family Friday outside the hospital where Aldridge was pronounced dead.
“Dwyane Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago”. By Sunday morning, the Trump campaign was busy trying to shift the message away from the tweet to a discussion of violence in Chicago. Four kids lost their mom for no reason.
On Saturday, he continued his call for action with a series of emotional tweets.
Another said: “The city of Chicago is hurting”. “We’re still going to try and help these people to transform their minds and give them a different direction, so this thing won’t keep happening”. Not for me and my family but for the future of the world.
Trump was accused by Twitter users of using the tragedy for political gains.
Declaring that Democrats are taking black voters for granted, Trump said, “Look at how much African-American communities are suffering from Democratic control”. After Trump posted his second tweet with Wade’s name spelled correctly, Cheadle shot back: “You are truly a POS”, he tweeted, following that up with another message: “Sorry. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!” he tweeted.
Wade, who grow up on the city’s South Side, has been outspoken over the years about the violence in his hometown. “My prayers and condolences go out to the Wade family”.
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In recent days, Trump has aggressively tried to win over black voters, arguing that Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton and Democratic lawmakers who for decades have run major USA cities have neglected their African-American residents by being soft on crime while providing inadequate public schooling and few job opportunities.
