BETHLEHEM, West Bank — President Donald Trump on Tuesday strongly condemned the suicide bomber who killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert in Britain, labeling terrorists “evil losers” and redoubling his efforts to obliterate “this wicked ideology.”

“So many young, beautiful, innocent people, living and enjoying their lives, murdered by evil losers in life,” Trump said. “I won’t call them monsters, because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name. I will call them from now on losers, because that’s what they are. They’re losers. And we’ll have more of them, but they’re losers. Just remember that.”

Trump delivered his statement here in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas following a meeting the two leaders had about the prospect of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as in the Middle East broadly.

Standing stone-faced as he read from a prepared text, Trump assigned a sobriquet he has used for his political enemies and media critics – “losers” – to terrorists broadly. He has used the same label for such rivals as Rosie O’Donnell, Mark Cuban and Cher.

He also extended his prayers to the people of Manchester, where the attack occurred Monday night among teenagers and others leaving the concert hall.

Calling this a “very horrible morning of death,” Trump urged other nations to join the United States in combating global terrorism. Later, Trump called British Prime Minister Theresa May.

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“Our society can have no tolerance for this continuation of bloodshed,” Trump said. “We cannot stand a moment longer for the slaughter of innocent people. And in today’s attack, it was mostly innocent children. The terrorists and extremists, and those who give them aid and comfort, must be driven out of our society forever.”

The president continued: “This wicked ideology must be obliterated – and I mean completely obliterated. Life must be protected. All civilized nations must join to protect human life and the sacred right of our citizens.”

This is not the first time a terrorist attack has coincided with a foreign trip of a U.S. president.

In March 2016, President Obama was making a historic visit to Cuba when coordinated attacks in Brussels left 35 dead and dozens more injured. Obama addressed the tragedy, but continued on with his trip, drawing criticism from some Republicans – including then-candidate Donald Trump.

Trump tweeted: “President Obama looks and sounds so ridiculous making his speech in Cuba, especially in the shadows of Brussels. He is being treated badly!”


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