If you were watching video from Hillary Clinton’s campaign stop in Kissimmee, Fla., on Monday and thought you recognized one of the people in the crowd behind her, you’re not alone.
Yes, it was Seddique Mateen, the father of Omar Mateen, who murdered nearly 50 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando less than two months ago. Yes, he was at the Clinton campaign event, cheering Hillary on. And, yes, he was doing it from one of the seats usually filled with supporters handpicked by campaign staffers.
That part seemed to escape the reporters of WPTV, a West Palm Beach television station that spotted him in the crowd. They questioned why he was at the rally, and why he would sit so close to Clinton. That’s when things got really bizarre.
“Hillary Clinton is good for United States versus Donald Trump, who has no solutions,” he said. “I support everything Clinton has to say, especially her gun control measures.”
He then went on to say he wished his son had joined the Army to help defeat ISIS. He then displayed a banner he had made that reads:
Hillary Clinton:
-
- Makes the biggest investment since WWII.
- Good for National Security
- Ex-CIA Chief Morell “Hillary told the truth about Benghazi.”
- Gun Control Laws.
Mateen’s explanation for being at the rally: “It’s a Democratic party, so everyone can join.”
Ironically, Clinton had opened her speech by paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the shooting.
“I know how many people, loved ones and friends, are still grieving,” she said. “And I want them to know that we will be with you.”
After WPTV’s report began to gain national attention, the Clinton campaign issued the following statement:
The rally was a 3,000-person, open-door event for the public. This individual wasn’t invited as a guest and the campaign was unaware of his attendance until after the event.
