Reuters Editor Apologizes, May be Disciplined After Blaming Trump For Capital Gazette Shooting “Blood on Your Hands”
Top Reuters Editor Rob Cox
38-year-old Jarrod Ramos entered the Capital Gazette building in Annapolis, Maryland on Thursday afternoon, and shot and killed five people; many more were injured.
Authorities had to identify Ramos using facial recognition software because he damaged his fingertips to avoid being ID’d by his fingerprints.
Ramos previously sued the Capital Gazette for defamation and lost; he had a vendetta against the newspaper and threatened the journalists for years.
Shortly after the shooting, President Trump tweeted his thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
Prior to departing Wisconsin, I was briefed on the shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2018
Reuters Global Editor, Rob Cox, responded to Trump’s tweet with vitriol and blamed the President.
Rob Cox tweeted, “This is what happens when Donald Trump calls journalists the enemy of the people. Blood is on your hands, Mr. President. Save your thoughts and prayers for your empty soul.”
The angry editor apologized later for his tweet.
4 – I am sorry for my comments, which I quickly deleted and have disavowed, and especially remorseful if they did anything to distract from the thoughts and love we must send to the community of Annapolis.
— Rob Cox (@rob1cox) June 29, 2018
The Reuters Editor may be disciplined for his tweet despite the apology.
Fox News reported:
Reuters bills itself as the “world’s largest international multimedia news provider,” which reaches over one billion people on a daily basis. Editor-in-Chief Steve Adler issued his own statement, calling Cox’s tweet “inconsistent with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles requiring journalists to maintain freedom from bias.”
“We do not condone his behavior and will take appropriate action,” Adler said.
Jarrod Ramos was charged with five counts of first-degree murder on Friday morning, according to online court records.
