Minneapolis, Minn. — Comedian Rosie O’Donnell has retracted her earlier statement linking the Minnesota school shooter to the MAGA Republican movement, acknowledging her error in a recent social media post. Following a tragic incident on Wednesday, where 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire at a Minneapolis church and school, O’Donnell had made a quick assessment that drew significant backlash.
In a TikTok video posted after the shooting, O’Donnell described Westman as a “MAGA person” and expressed longstanding dismay over school shootings in America. “It brought me right back to Columbine,” she said, recalling memories of past violence in schools. However, she has since deleted that video amid growing criticism of her characterization of Westman.
Westman, who identified as a woman and held extreme views against multiple groups, allegedly expressed an admiration for previous mass shooters and even called for violence against former President Donald Trump. Investigators noted that she had left a trail of disturbing writings and online content, which indicated her radical beliefs.
In response to the backlash following her initial comments, O’Donnell took to Instagram to clarify her position. In her post, she admitted to being “lazy” in her fact-checking and acknowledged that Westman held anti-Trump sentiments rather than aligning with right-wing ideologies.
On Sunday, she issued another apology on TikTok, saying she did not conduct adequate research before making her initial claims. “I assumed things based on a stereotype and that’s a mistake,” she stated, pledging to be more diligent in future discussions about such critical topics.
Despite her efforts to clarify, many on social media expressed skepticism about the sincerity of her apology. One commenter on TikTok stated, “She does not mean this apology,” while O’Donnell responded by reinforcing her admission of wrongdoing and her remorse.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, while injuring 18 others. Authorities reported that Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara indicated that Westman displayed a troubling fascination with mass violence that alarmed law enforcement.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, O’Donnell’s misstep serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in labeling individuals involved in such acts of violence. The nuances of gun violence, mental health, and political rhetoric remain critical areas for ongoing discussion.