In their never-ending quest for neutrality masquerading as “objectivity,” the media spent way more time than was necessary on Tuesday reporting on the fact that Orlando shooter Omar Mateen’s father Seddique Mateen photobombed a Hillary Clinton rally on Monday.
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The Clinton campaign said that they had no prior knowledge of Sedique Mateen’s presence at the rally, calling it an “open-door event for the public”, and later added the Clinton “disavows his support”. Her campaign earlier in the day sought to play down the support from Seddique Mateen, whose son was responsible for the Pulse nightclub massacre in June that killed 49. Mateen’s controversial insane views on Afghan politics and homosexuality emerged after the shooting. “He’s got some pretty harsh views”.
“I know how many people, families, loved ones, and friends are still grieving, and we will be with you as you rebuild your lives.”
The father of Orlando mass shooter on Monday praised Clinton’s presidential bid as “good for the United States” after attending her campaign event.
Clinton’s campaign denied that it sent a personal invitation to Mateen, and by Wednesday it had completely distanced itself from the man who seemed to be supportive of Clinton.
Mateen reportedly didn’t want to do the interview at first, but WPTV caught up with him again at a rest stop as they were headed back to West Palm Beach after the rally.
Former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned from Congress in 2006 in disgrace after sending sexually explicit messages to teenage congressional pages, attended a rally for Donald Trump in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Wednesday.
Seddique Mateen may have been saddened his son’s action’s in Orlando, but the father has previously expressed anti-American sentiments and has even been sympathetic to the Taliban.
Host Don Lemon called it an “embarrassing episode” and Democratic strategist Basil Smikle said that he did not recognize Mateen immediately and that the events person in charge of the rally probably did not recognize him either.
Television coverage shows Mateen standing behind Clinton during her speech.
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“Wasn’t it bad?” Trump asked, that Seddique Mateen was “sitting with a big smile on his face right behind Hillary Clinton“.
