Trump responds to Barcelona attack by spreading widely debunked myth
Earlier this week, Trump touted himself as a person who likes to "know the facts" before making a statement. He's also regularly attacked the media for spreading "fake news." Now, Trump has invoked a debunked myth about a US general who fought Islamist militants in the Philippines by using bullets dipped in pig's blood. The statement was a response to the Barcelona van attack.
Barcelona terrorist attack: Van rams into a crowd killing 13
In a shocking instance of terror, a van drove into the crowd at Barcelona's popular La Ramblas area, killing 13 and injuring over 100. Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy has termed it a 'jihadist attack'. While two suspects were arrested, the driver of the van, who mercilessly tread through the pedestrian sidewalk is reported to have fled on foot.
What Trump tweeted
"Study what General Pershing of the United States did to terrorists when caught," Trump tweeted, adding that "There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years!" The tweet could be seen as Trump's suggestion of on how to deter further terrorist acts.
What is the myth surrounding US General Pershing?
A myth circulated widely online suggests that US General John Pershing had rounded up 50 terrorists during the US-Philippine war in the early 1900s. Pershing used bullets dipped in pig's blood and shot 49 terrorists, leaving one survivor to go back and tell his comrades what happened. The myth has been proven false by fact checking websites Politifact and Snopes.
Myth surrounding bullets dipped in pig blood debunked
Pigs are considered ritually unclean in Islam, making Trump's statement undoubtedly offensive. The idea of deterring Islamic terrorists over the belief that being shot with bullets dipped in pig's blood would mean they'd be sent to hell is also incorrect. Islam forbids its believers from consuming pork but there's "no penalty for coming into contact with pork given by the Quran," an expert said.
