Rosie O’Donnell issued a rare public apology after falsely claiming the Minneapolis Catholic school shooter was a “white guy, Republican, MAGA person, white supremacist” when the perpetrator was actually a transgender individual with anti-Trump sentiments.
Story Snapshot
- O’Donnell spread false claims about the Minneapolis school shooter’s political affiliation on TikTok.
- The shooter was identified as Robin Westman, transgender individual with anti-Trump messages.
- Two children killed, 18 injured in attack at Annunciation Catholic Church and School.
- Celebrity issued an apology acknowledging failure to verify facts before posting.
False Claims Spread During Crisis
Hours after the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis on August 28, 2025, Rosie O’Donnell posted a TikTok video making inflammatory and unsubstantiated claims.
The comedian alleged without evidence that the shooter was a “white guy, Republican, MAGA person, white supremacist.” Her statements reached millions of followers during a time when families were grieving the loss of two children, and eighteen others remained hospitalized from their injuries.
The rapid spread of misinformation highlighted the dangerous tendency of public figures to politicize tragedies before the facts are established.
O’Donnell’s claims aligned with her longstanding animosity toward President Trump and his supporters, but completely contradicted the actual circumstances of the case.
Truth Emerges About Shooter’s Identity
Law enforcement investigations revealed the shooter’s identity as Robin (Robert) Westman, a transgender individual whose social media presence contained anti-Trump messaging. This directly contradicted O’Donnell’s characterization and exposed the reckless nature of her initial assumptions.
The revelation demonstrated how quickly false narratives can take hold when influential figures abandon factual verification in favor of political point-scoring during national tragedies.
Westman’s actual background and motivations painted a completely different picture than the inflammatory claims suggested by O’Donnell.
The contrast between her accusations and reality underscored the irresponsible rush to judgment that has become commonplace among celebrities seeking to advance political agendas through social media platforms during breaking news situations.
Damage Control and Accountability
Facing mounting criticism and undeniable evidence of her error, O’Donnell posted an apology video. She stated, “I did not do my due diligence before I made that emotional statement, and I said things about the shooter that were incorrect. When you mess up, you fess up. I’m sorry, this is my apology video, and I hope it’s enough.”
While O’Donnell’s apology demonstrated accountability, it raised serious questions about the responsibility of public figures with massive platforms.
The incident exemplified how celebrities routinely weaponize tragedies to attack conservative Americans without verification, potentially undermining public trust and inflaming political divisions during moments when unity and accurate information are most crucial for healing communities.
