Overview
- Trump’s Truth Social message, posted Saturday, said “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people,” referring to former special counsel and FBI director Robert Mueller.
- Mueller died at 81 after Parkinson’s disease and was a Marine combat veteran awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, a record that many cited to explain the outcry.
- Critics across media and politics denounced the post, with ex-RNC chair Michael Steele calling it “vile” and Jimmy Kimmel blasting the president on air, while commentators tied it to Trump’s past shots at deceased figures like John McCain and Colin Powell.
- Some allies defended or contextualized the remark, as Bill O’Reilly wrote he “certainly understand[s]” the sentiment and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued Trump had been wronged, though outlets noted Mueller had no role in the 2022 Mar-a-Lago search.
- Mediaite reported the White House press corps asked Trump 86 questions this week but none about the post, as coverage split with many outlets condemning it, Fox News largely bypassing it, and Breitbart attacking Kimmel’s critique.