A video showing US President Donald Trump calling for a “total and complete shutdown” on Muslims entering the States has gone viral on social media platforms, days after the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
In the 20-second-long-video, Trump is heard saying, “Donald J Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”
Multiple users shared the video with hashtag “#PehalgamTerroristAttack”, insinuating that his comments are linked to the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Newschecker, however, found the video to be old.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Donald Trump”, “complete shutdown”, and “Muslims” on Google led us to a report by BBC, dated December 8, 2015, carrying a longer version of the viral clip. “Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has called for a halt to Muslims entering the US, in the wake of the deadly California shootings. In a campaign statement, he said a “total and complete” shutdown should remain until the US authorities “can figure out” Muslim attitudes to the US,” the report stated.
Notably, Barack Obama was serving as the US President in 2015.
Trump’s remarks had drawn criticism from the White House and other Republicans. “Mr Trump’s comments were contrary to US values and its national security interests, a statement from the White House said. Republican Jeb Bush, also running for president, said the New York businessman was “unhinged”,” reported BBC.
Carrying the viral clip, a report by The Guardian published on December 8, 2015, corroborated, “Donald Trump, the leading contender to become the Republican party’s nominee for US presidential candidate, has called for a “total and complete shutdown” of the country’s borders to Muslims in the wake of the San Bernardino terrorist attack.”
14 people were killed after Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik opened fire in San Bernardino, California in December 2015. The couple was killed in a shootout with police. Multiple outlets such as this, this and this reported on the same.
Trump On Pahalgam Terror Attack
Reacting to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, US President Donald Trump said on social media, “Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!”
Also Read: Pahalgam – Viral Photos Showing Victims Of Terror Attack Are AI-Generated
Conclusion
Hence, we find that the viral video of US President Donald Trump calling for a shutdown of Muslims entering the States is old, and unrelated to the terror attack in Pahalgam.
Sources
Report By BBC, Dated December 8, 2015
Report By The Guardian, Dated December 8, 2015
