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Trump Using Omar Mateen's Father Against Hillary

DT

The Clinton campaign is forced to disavow the support of Seddique Mateen, who appeared at a rally of hers this week.

Nbroverman

Donald Trump -- under fire again for insinuating gun rights supporters should shoot Hillary Clinton -- is trying to distract from his problems by creating them for Hillary Clinton. Namely, Trump is trying to make an issue of Seddique Mateen, father of Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, appearing at a Clinton rally on Monday.

The rally, held in the Orlando suburb of Kissimmee, was open to the public. Seddique Mateen was front and center at the event, and the Clinton campaign was reportedly unaware of who he was at the time. When Clinton talked about visiting the site of the gay nightclub shooting, Seddique Mateen was seen taking pictures of the Democratic nominee.

After reporters became aware of his presence after the rally, they approached him with questions. Mateen said he was invited by the Democratic Party and declared himself a proud Clinton supporter.

"Clinton is good for the United States, versus Donald Trump, who has no solutions," Mateen told local broadcaster WPTV.

Trump jumped on news of the unexpected guest, pushing Clinton for a response.

"If that were me, this would be a headline all over the world about Trump," the Republican presidential nominee told Fox News's Sean Hannity. "But she did not, as I understand it, disavow this man. He's got some pretty harsh views."

Clinton campaign officials quickly responded, confirming they did not know Mateen was in the audience: "[Clinton] disagrees with his views and disavows his support."

Seddique Mateen has spoken with the press frequently since his son committed the worst mass shooting in American history, one that claimed dozens of LGBT lives. Though some have said self-hate led to the massacre, Seddique Mateen has said he's "95 percent sure" his son was not gay. After the Pulse shooting, a video emerged of Seddique Mateen saying, "God will punish those involved in homosexuality."

Nbroverman
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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.