Former President Donald Trump has drawn criticism for using the tragic death of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller as a platform to attack President Joe Biden, with some accusing him of exploiting the situation for political gain. Trump’s visit to the wake received ample coverage, particularly in partisan media outlets, which eagerly amplified the perceived contrast between Trump’s gesture and Biden’s attendance at a star-studded fundraiser in New York City.
Reportedly, Trump’s aides were keen on highlighting the split-screen image of Biden at the fundraiser while Trump paid his respects to Officer Diller’s family.
This narrative of juxtaposition was prominently featured across various news programs, with commentators suggesting that Trump and his allies sought to make crime a central theme in the upcoming election.
Conservative media, including Fox News, seized upon this narrative, framing Trump’s visit as a display of empathy contrasted with what they portrayed as Biden’s disconnected elitism. However, critics point out the irony of attempting to portray Trump as empathetic, given his track record of lacking empathy and exploiting situations for personal or political gain.
Notably, Trump’s history of attending memorial services for fallen officers is scrutinized, revealing instances where he prioritized political events over paying respects to officers killed in the line of duty.
