Donald Trump has been criticized for trying to use the fatal shooting of an NBA star’s cousin to appeal to black voters. Mother of four Nykea Aldridge, 32, was shot in the head and arm during an exchange of gunfire between two men in Chicago. She was pushing her three-week-old baby in a pushchair when the attack happened. The child was unhurt, but Ms Aldridge later died in hospital.
She is the cousin of 12-time NBA All-Star Dwayne Wade, who recently signed a contract with his hometown team the Chicago Bulls. The Republican presidential candidate tweeted soon afterwards: “Dwyane Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago.
“Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”
His response was criticised by Hillary Clinton’s running mate Tim Kaine, who said: “We just ought to be extending our sympathy to the family.
“That’s the only reaction that is appropriate right now and maybe a sadness about this gun violence issue.” Former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams called Trump’s comment “an absolute disgrace”.
Meanwhile, actor Don Cheadle said: “People of (Trump’s) ilk are contributors to the conditions that lead to the ‘Chicagos’ of this country.”
Mr Trump has repeatedly said that African-Americans should vote for him, because he will solve inner-city problems. He said crime and poverty in urban America “offends my sense of right and wrong to see anyone living in such conditions”.
Dwayne Wade tweeted: “My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough.”
In another he wrote: “The city of Chicago is hurting. We need more help and more hands on deck. Not for me and my family but for the future of our world. The YOUTH!” Wade has been an outspoken critic of gun violence, while his mother Jolinda Wade – a Chicago pastor – spoke on a panel about gun violence earlier this week.
She told reporters: “I just sat up on a panel yesterday talking about the violence that’s going on within our city of Chicago, never knowing that the next day we would be the ones that would be actually living and experiencing it.”
