Trump Trots Out Anti-Muslim Urban Legend After Barcelona Attack

Less than an hour after issuing a measured statement in response to a deadly terror attack in Barcelona, President Trump trotted out a false, internet-created, anti-Muslim urban legend. “Study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught,” the president tweeted. “There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years!” Trump repeatedly referenced the fabricated tale during the 2016 presidential campaign, despite it having been disproven on numerous occasions. According to the lie, U.S. General John J. Pershing threatened Muslim terrorists in the Philippines by executing them with bullets dipped in pigs’ blood and burying them among the pigs. Earlier in the afternoon, the president released a surprisingly restrained statement: “The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!”