Clinton Campaign Says It Didn't Know Orlando Shooter's Father Was At Her Rally
August 9, 201611:19 AM ET
Tamara Keith - Square 2015
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally in Kissimmee, Fla., on Monday.
inee Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally in Kissimmee, Fla., on Monday.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Among the 3,000 people Hillary Clinton drew to a rally in Florida last night was the father of the man responsible for killing 49 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, according to a local news report.
Father Of Orlando Gunman Saddened By Nightclub Massacre
Listen· 3:04
Queue
Toggle more options
A Clinton campaign official tells NPR that the rally in Kissimmee, Fla., on Monday was open to the public. NBC affiliate WPTV identified one attendee as Seddique Mateen, the father of Omar Mateen, who was killed in a shootout with police after carrying out the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
"This individual wasn't invited as a guest, and the campaign was unaware of his attendance until after the event," the Clinton campaign official said in an email exchange.
Not only was Mateen at the event, but he was also positioned behind Clinton, so he was visible in photos and video of the candidate's speech. Mateen is recognizable, in part, because he did so many interviews after the nightclub attack.
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter
Follow
WPTV ✔ @WPTV
Orlando shooter's father sits right behind Hillary at rally.
http://bit.ly/2aI9s6u 12:48 AM - 9 Aug 2016
432 432 Retweets 178 178 likes
After the Clinton rally, Mateen again did a television interview. "Hillary Clinton is good for United States versus Donald Trump, who has no solutions," he said to WPTV.
Here's WPTV's full description of finding and interviewing Mateen, which is a story in itself:
"WPTV happened to notice the man, who has a mustache and was wearing a red hat, behind Clinton. It was Seddique Mateen, the father of Orlando mass shooter Omar Mateen.\
"NewsChannel 5 asked Mateen what he was thinking about when Clinton spoke about the Orlando incident.
" 'We've been cooperating with the federal government, and that's about it,' he said. 'Thank you.' Mateen didn't want to answer any other questions, but just hours later, we ran into him by chance at a rest stop on the way back to West Palm Beach. He wanted to do an interview and show us a sign he made for Clinton.
" 'Hillary Clinton is good for United States versus Donald Trump, who has no solutions,' he said.
"We asked what went into his decision to go to the event right near Orlando, where the Pulse nightclub shooting happened.
" 'I spoke a lot about that and wish that my son joined the Army and fought ISIS. That would be much better,' he said.
"When questioned whether Clinton's campaign knew he was going to the event and sitting directly behind the presidential candidate, Mateen said, 'It's a Democratic party, so everyone can join.'
"Finally we asked if he thought some people would be surprised to see him there, especially given the proximity to Orlando.
" 'Why should they be surprised? I love the United States, and I've been living here a long time,' Mateen said."
On July 22, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited a memorial outside Pulse, where 49 people were shot and killed by a gunman in June in Orlando, Florida.
On July 22, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited a memorial outside Pulse, where 49 people were shot and killed by a gunman in June in Orlando, Florida.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Angel Colon was shot three times at Pulse. "I'm just there laying down and I'm thinking, 'I'm next. I'm dead,' " he said.
THE TWO-WAY
3 Hours In Orlando: Piecing Together An Attack And Its Aftermath
Last month, Clinton met privately in Orlando with family and friends of those killed at Pulse. She also paid a somber visit, laying white roses at a memorial at the club. Even at the start of last night's rally, Clinton paid tribute to the victims and their loved ones.
There is no reaction yet from Donald Trump's campaign, but Clinton opponents are already seizing on it.
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter
Follow
jimgeraghty ✔ @jimgeraghty
The pro-Taliban dad of the Orlando shooter says Hillary is "good for national security."
http://bit.ly/2b5nxOX 8:28 AM - 9 Aug 2016
444 444 Retweets 225 225 likes
We will update this story if Trump weighs in.
