House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been caught in an online controversy after she ignored newly released evidence about the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, to push for her gun control agenda.
On June 12th, 2016, the Pulse Nightclub was the scene of the most fatal mass shooting in U.S. history, leaving 49 people dead and more than 50 injured. Initially, it was believed to be a hate crime targeting victims based on their sexual orientation.
On Tuesday, Pelosi commemorated the event in a Tweet, saying, "7 years ago, 49 beautiful souls were stolen and more than 50 others were injured in a horrific attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Americans continue to pray for the brave survivors, victims’ loved ones, and Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community left forever scarred by this act of hate."
7 years ago, 49 beautiful souls were stolen and more than 50 others were injured in a horrific attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Americans continue to pray for the brave survivors, victims’ loved ones and Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community left forever scarred by this act of hate.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 12, 2023
However, a fact-check by Community Notes found that the official investigation of the shooting has no evidence that proves the shooting was committed out of an anti-LGBTQ "act of hate."
In fact, it was revealed that the shooter had no intention of targeting gay people or a gay club but instead had attacked the Nightclub out of revenge for US anti-terror policies abroad. This emerged during the trial of the shooter's wife who was charged with aiding and abetting her husband in the commission of the deadly shooting, as well as obstruction of justice.
Fox News reports that, instead of accepting the newly released evidence, Nancy Pelosi used the fact to push for gun control – an assault weapons ban and universal background checks - without a clear link to the shooting.
In a statement responding to the fact-check, Pelosi said, "At that time, the families of the victims, in their grief and grace, pleaded with us to make sure that this does not happen again. While progress has been made – including with @POTUS Biden’s new gun safety law last year – more must be done to protect our communities."
Pelosi's use of the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting to push her gun control agenda has left many in the public questioning her integrity and the truthfulness of her statements. Her claims that a hate crime was committed against the LGBTQ+ community when in fact, no evidence of a hate crime exists, has been blamed for exploiting the tragedy in order to advance her own agenda.