Annapolis Survivor Tells CNN She ‘Couldn’t Give a F–k About’ Trump’s ‘Thoughts and Prayers': (Video)
A survivor of the deadly shooting Thursday at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, had a blunt — and uncensored by CNN — response to Donald Trump offers of “thoughts and prayers”: she “couldn’t give a f–k about them if there’s nothing else.”
Appearing on “Anderson Cooper 360,” Capital Gazette staff writer Selene San Felice, alongside fellow staff writer Phil Davis, clearly shaken, told Cooper how they spent the shooting hiding under their desks. Toward the end of the interview, San Felice mentioned Trump’s tweet about the situation, in which he wrote, “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
Also Read: Editor Rob Hiaasen, 59, Among 5 Dead in Capital Gazette Shooting
Prior to departing Wisconsin, I was briefed on the shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2018
Felice told Cooper she didn’t know what she wanted, but “thoughts and prayers” were not it.
“I reported on Pulse when Pulse happened. I went to school in Florida, and I remember being so upset hearing about the victims who were texting their families, and there I was, sitting under a desk, texting my parents, telling them I love them,” San Felice said. “I just don’t know what I want right now, right? But I’m gonna need more than a couple days of news coverage and some thoughts and prayers, because it’s — our whole lives have been shattered. And so thanks for your prayers, but couldn’t give a f–k about them if there’s nothing else.”
CNN chose not to censor San Felice’s remarks, and instead air them, including the profanity, in their entirety. The interview ended immediately after, but Cooper later tweeted uncensored video of the segment.
Also Read: Capital Gazette Shooting Suspect Had Long History With Newspaper (Reports)
“I’ve heard that Pres. Trump sent his prayers. I’m not trying to make this political right? But we need more than prayers… I want your prayers but I want something else.”
Capital Gazette writer Selene San Felice says her life has been "shattered" after witnessing the attack pic.twitter.com/mUwVZBjpmo
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) June 29, 2018
Trump and other politicians have been criticized for offering “thoughts and prayers” to shooting victims, while continually blocking discussions or legislation on gun control. Trump refused to speak to the press in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, which NBC News captured on video and tweeted after meeting Trump when he arrived from Wisconsin. He was in the state Wednesday for a rally.
"Can you please talk to us about the dead reporters in Annapolis?"
“Do you have any words of condolence for the families, Mr. President?”
"Why are you walking away?"
Pres. Trump does not comment when asked about the deadly Maryland newsroom shooting.https://t.co/5ZcmEVQW9z pic.twitter.com/heIzI7S4Ck
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 28, 2018
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