Rosie O’Donnell apologizes for calling trans Minneapolis Catholic school shooter a MAGA supporter: ‘I messed up’

Rosie O’Donnell recently found herself in hot water after falsely claiming that the transgender Minneapolis Catholic school shooter was a supporter of the MAGA movement. The former talk show host, known for her criticism of former President Trump, made these claims in a TikTok rant last week.

In her emotional outburst, O’Donnell suggested that the shooter, Robin Westman, was a “Republican, MAGA person, white supremacist.” However, it was later revealed that Westman had actually written “Kill Donald Trump” on one of his gun magazines. O’Donnell’s claims were quickly debunked, leading her to issue a public apology on social media.

“I know a lot of you were very upset about the video I made before I went away for a few days,” O’Donnell said in a TikTok video shared on Sunday. “You are right and I did not do my due diligence before I made that emotional statement.”

Despite the evidence proving her initial claims false, O’Donnell continued to double down on her accusations, linking the shooting to white supremacy and the NRA. However, law enforcement, fact-checkers, and national media have all confirmed that there were no ties between the shooter and any political or extremist groups.

Westman, a self-identified transgender woman, had a nihilistic viewpoint and an obsession with past mass shooters. In a final video message and handwritten manifesto, Westman expressed despair over gender identity and a disregard for the lives of others.

O’Donnell, who currently resides in Ireland with her non-binary and autistic child, has been vocal about her opposition to Trump and conservative politics. She and her child are in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship following their move from the US.

In conclusion, O’Donnell’s false claims about the Minneapolis Catholic school shooter highlight the dangers of spreading misinformation and the importance of fact-checking before making inflammatory statements. It serves as a reminder to always verify information before jumping to conclusions, especially in sensitive and volatile situations.