On New Year’s Day, as Americans grappled with the tragic terrorist attack in New Orleans that left at least 14 dead, it became clear how unsettling it could be if Donald Trump were to return as president.

Before there was even a suspect in custody, the president-elect took to social media to wrongly assert that the attack was carried out by an undocumented immigrant. He claimed, in typical fashion, that this proved he was right all along in warning about “the criminals coming in.”

In his post, he stated, “When I claimed that the criminals entering our country are significantly worse than the ones we have, Democrats and the Fake News Media continually disagreed with me, but it has now been validated. The crime rate in our nation is unprecedented. Our condolences go out to all innocent victims and their families, as well as to the courageous officers of the New Orleans Police Department.”

Following the New Orleans terrorist attack, Trump’s misleading statements prioritize himself

In his post, Trump’s focus on himself overshadowed any mention of the victims. In a sad time that called for compassion and truth, he provided Americans with a stark reminder of his tumultuous and self-centered version of ‘leadership.’

As expected, the facts about the attack on Bourbon Street contradicted Trump’s narrative. The perpetrator, who was killed in a gunfire exchange with police, turned out to be Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas and an Army veteran.

Jabbar was not one of “the criminals coming in,” as Trump inaccurately claimed. Contrary to Trump’s assertions, nothing about this incident confirmed his beliefs, and the overall crime rate in the nation is far from “unprecedented.”

In fact, The New York Times noted on the same day that Trump shared his misleading post: “Throughout 2024, murder rates and crime in general saw a decline across the country.”

Trump’s reaction to the attack reveals the turmoil he brings to leadership

In the days ahead, more information will emerge about Jabbar. The FBI revealed he was found with an ISIS flag and was dressed in military attire when he drove his truck into a gathering of New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans’ French Quarter, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and 30 injuries.

In the aftermath of such an attack, it is unacceptable for any potential president to indulge in baseless speculation. The families of the victims and the public deserve a leader who expresses genuine compassion, shares verified information, and clearly commits to ensuring public safety.

Yet Trump quickly resorted to an attitude that screamed, “I WAS RIGHT, YOU LOSERS!” despite the fact that he was incorrect and that his presence was the least significant factor in that moment.

Trump’s remarks highlight the unpredictability of his leadership

Vanity. Deception. Misinformation. That’s all What we see from Trump has always been evident. It’s the same rhetoric we heard during his campaign, and it continues now, even as he prepares to take office. There’s really no reason for him to still seek approval from his staunchly anti-immigrant followers.

This pattern will likely persist after his inauguration.

During times when careful guidance is crucial, we will be met with impulsive, self-serving reactions, often spurred by misleading statements from some fringe figure close to him.

Following the tragic events in New Orleans, President-elect Trump showed a lack of effective leadership. Naturally, this is what we expect from him.

What do you anticipate from someone who would label any failure as a setup against him?