A man was killed and six firefighters suffered minor injuries in an apartment fire on the 50th floor of Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, in a blaze that the New York City Fire Department quickly had under control.
The victim, Todd Brassner, 67, was found unresponsive and unconscious in his 50th floor apartment. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital a few hours later.
The president, whose name is on the building, tweeted shortly after images of the blaze and billowing smoke showed up on screens nationwide. He thanked the firefighters for their brave work in containing the blaze, and then pointed out that the building was a “well built building.”
Fire at Trump Tower is out. Very confined (well built building). Firemen (and women) did a great job. THANK YOU!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2018
As with seemingly every tweet from the Oval Office, people had issues with what Donald Trump had to say about the fire. Specifically, that he was touting a building he developed without acknowledging that someone had died in the blaze.
Journalist Roland S. Martin called out the president with a straightforward comment, asking him to “Stop touting the building.”
Man, there was a death in that fire! Stop touting the building https://t.co/jYHbdCO5tw
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) April 8, 2018
Many wondered if the president had any condolences for the loss of life.
How about the one man that died?
Condolences?????— DJ GAK-E (@KiethGatke) April 8, 2018
@realDonaldTrump no mention of your condolence! Really.. just about your building.
— Godisblessing (@successful63) April 8, 2018
I just heard that someone died in that fire! And here you are bragging. OMIGAWD.
— Diane Noland (@dyannne) April 8, 2018
You didn’t mention the person who died and you just had to add in “well built building…” pic.twitter.com/tMXiTQQwSa
— Marshea Johnson (@Marshea85) April 8, 2018
Others on the social media site tweeted at the president wondering about the safety of the building. The New York Daily News and CBS News report that the Trump Tower, built in 1984, does not have sprinklers on its residential floors, a measure required in new buildings in New York City since 1999. The president, who was at the time a private citizen and property developer, lobbied to try and prevent that mandate.
As usual, @realDonaldTrump your concern is for yourself. One of your tenants died in that fire. Where were the sprinklers?
— Jackie Scott (@queenbjr) April 8, 2018
You sound as though you built it with your own (tiny) hands.
Your lack of self awareness and empathy for the man who died and the firefighters who were injured, because you did not install sprinklers, is truly astounding.
— Nicholas Miller (@nicholasrmiller) April 8, 2018
Of course, some stepped in to defend the president, and it is worth noting he may not have known about the fatality when he shared his thoughts last night.
Someone died in that fire and you’re using it as a Trump bashing opportunity? Classy.
— Heather Stowe (@mommytolucius) April 8, 2018
You do know that the man hadn’t died when trump posted, right??
— Heather Stowe (@mommytolucius) April 8, 2018
Son Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, offered similar sentiments to his father, and Don Jr. (executive vice president of development and acquisitions), remained silent on Twitter, but did share photos of a trip to Spain with friends on Instagram.
Thank you to the amazing men and women of the NYFD who extinguished a fire in a residential apartment at @TrumpTower. The @FDNY and @NYPD are truly some of the most incredible people anywhere!
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) April 7, 2018
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