Trump once said of the Iowa school shooting, “We need to get over it”?

On June 17, 2024, US President Joe Biden highlighted a past remark by former President Donald Trump. Biden posted on Hell no, we don’t need to get over it. We have to stop him. »

Biden's message referenced a school shooting on January 4, 2024 at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa. The gunman killed 11-year-old sixth-grader Ahmir Jolliff and principal Dan Murburger and injured six other staff and students, according to the Associated Press. The shooter died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Trump delivered the referenced remarks during a 2024 presidential campaign speech at the Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center, Iowa.

After reviewing his comments in full, we found that he called the shooting “terrible” four times and uttered the words “We need to get over this.” The moment appeared to be an improvisation that followed the reading of a prepared statement in which he expressed his “deepest condolences” to the victims and their families.

We transcribed Trump's full remarks to the rally audience:

Before I go any further, I want to extend our support and deepest condolences to the victims and families affected by the horrific school shooting yesterday in Perry, Iowa. To the entire community: We love you, we pray for you, and we ask God to truly heal and comfort all of your condition and pain. This is something completely unique to your state. We are truly with you, as much as anyone can be. This is a very terrible thing that happened. And it's just terrible to see this happening. It's just terrible. So surprising to see him here. But you have to get over it. You need to go forward. You need to go forward. But, to the loved ones and all the people who are so devastated right now, to the point where they can't breathe, they can't live, we are with you all the way. We are with you, we love you and cherish you.

We previously contacted the Trump campaign to ask if the Biden campaign highlighted this moment in a message but did not receive a response.

Note: Trump's full comments on the school shooting can also be viewed in this live YouTube video from Right Side Broadcasting Network. Remarks relevant to the shooting begin when the clock in the lower right corner reads “5:37 p.m. ET.”

Sources