Melania Trump posted previously unseen images of the trip she made with Donald Trump to visit shooting victims at University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, including one photo where she’s holding a baby who was orphaned as a result of the deadly shooting there last week.
In the photo, Melania Trump is holding an infant, who is the son of Jordan Anchondo, 24, and Andre Anchondo, 23, a young couple who were killed in last Saturday’s shooting at a Walmart.
The President is making a thumbs-up sign next to the first lady and is joined by some of the baby’s surviving relatives — the baby’s uncle Tito Anchondo.
Jordan Anchondo shielded her 2-month-old baby in her arms as she was shot, saving his life but sacrificing her own. Andre was killed as he attempted to jump in front of his wife to protect her.
The Anchondo baby was discharged from University Medical Center prior to the Trump’s visit, but brought back in order to meet the President and first lady in person, a hospital official tells CNN’s Jim Acosta.
A hospital official confirms to CNN that this is the baby who was brought back to the hospital to meet with Trump and FLOTUS after the child had been discharged. The two month old’s parents, Jordan and Andre Anchondo died protecting him during the El Paso shooting. pic.twitter.com/J468ygdPnM [1]
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 9, 2019 [2]
The infant was one of two previously discharged patients who returned to meet the President, who the same official said acted during the hospital visit with “an absence of empathy.”
Trump’s trip to Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso were not without controversy, in large part surrounding his rhetoric both prior to the shootings and afterward. In one Wednesday tweet he slammed Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, accusing them of lying about components of his visit.
Melania Trump’s photo of the baby was one of four images she posted on her social media feeds after their visit to the grieving communities — another photo shows the first lady greeting what appears to be one of the younger victims injured, bending over her hospital bed to shake her hand.
“I met many incredible people in Dayton, Ohio & El Paso, Texas yesterday. Their communities are strong and unbreakable,” Melania Trump tweeted. “@potus and I stand with you!”
I met many incredible people in Dayton, Ohio & El Paso, Texas yesterday. Their communities are strong and unbreakable. @potus [3] and I stand with you! pic.twitter.com/SHzV6zcVKR [4]
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 8, 2019 [5]
As you could imagine, people were furious:
Per other reports, the baby had broken bones from the bodies that fell on him. This photo would be a career-ender for any other politician. As it is, no one will remember a week from now, and yet it’s unforgivable. https://t.co/uwqrX6EuBW [6]
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) August 9, 2019 [7]
.@FLOTUS [8]: You can stop now with the pretense of giving a damn about anything but your ghoulish self and your ghoulish husband.
This is as sick and depraved as it gets. pic.twitter.com/30dAe0wj21 [9]
— Real Fake P0TUS (@RF_P0TUS) August 9, 2019 [10]
Okay, I didn't know this was the child whose parents were killed in the El Paso shooting.
Why on Earth are trump and Melania smiling? Why is trump giving a thumbs up? Who are the guardians of this child that agreed to do this? What kind of MONSTERS are these people?!?! pic.twitter.com/MvgknAhOla [11]
— When they vote low, we vote high (@EthanObama) August 9, 2019 [12]
This is the baby whose parents died while shielding him. THE PARENTS WERE GUNNED DOWN and the next day @realDonaldTrump [13] and @FLOTUS [8] poses for pics with smiles and thumbs up. Thy never looked happier. They are vile and disgusting. #fuckingphotoop [14] pic.twitter.com/JV4PBnyWoY [15]
— Donna Gay (@donnafg) August 9, 2019 [16]
.@FLOTUS [8] holding the baby whose parents were killed by the El Paso shooter. A grinning Trump acts like it’s a damn celebration. These two are absolute cretins. pic.twitter.com/tVe8D5etyw [17]
— Mark Elliott (@markmobility) August 9, 2019 [18]
This is despicable.
This child’s parents were killed in a tragedy @realDonaldTrump [13] could have prevented. He and @FLOTUS [8] are using him for a photo-op.
Shame on both of them.#ElPaso [19] pic.twitter.com/eIqF66xHgk [20]
— Jonah Gottlieb (@JonahGottlieb) August 9, 2019 [21]
The photo of Melania holding the baby & the video of the girl crying over her father are too much. Monsters exist. The cruelty is not just the point, it’s the ad, it’s the entertainment, it’s the campaign. Trump is producing the cruelest reality show ever. Vote. Then prosecute.
— Kelvin Yu (@InternetKelvin) August 9, 2019 [22]
So Melania Trump posted this photo. The baby is an orphan from the El Paso Walmart shooting. The clown did a thumbs up. I know, not my president, not my country, but seriously this madness. pic.twitter.com/YY35c5YCAF [23]
— gurmit singh (@gurms) August 9, 2019 [24]