The New York Daily News’ controversial Thursday cover has already sparked a heated debate on social media thanks to the glaring headline: “God isn’t fixing this.”
The proclamation is in response to repeated quotes from Republican presidential candidates who said they were praying for victims after at least 14 people were killed and 17 injured in a shooting rampage in San Bernardino, California, on Wednesday.
“GOP presidential candidates offer prayers — not solutions on gun control — after San Bernardino massacre,” reads the accompanying headline on the newspaper’s website.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz was one of those quoted on the Daily News cover. “Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders in San Bernardino who willingly go into harm’s way to save others,” he tweeted.
“Praying for the victims, their families & the San Bernardino first responders in the wake of this tragic shooting,” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said.
Jeb Bush’s message was nearly identical. “Praying for the victims, their families & the San Bernardino first responders in the wake of this tragic shooting,” he wrote.
Rand Paul and Lindsey Graham all offered their prayers as well, while Donald Trump said: “California shooting looks very bad. Good luck to law enforcement and God bless.”
On the flip side, Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton demanded tighter gun control in the wake of yet another tragedy. “I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now,” she said.
The tweets in response to the Daily News cover were diverse, ranging from passionate support for the paper to vehement outrage.
“Thank you, @NYDailyNews. You are fighting the good fight,” one Twitter user wrote.
But another asked: “WTF is wrong with you people?”
See the tweets below.
I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now. -H https://t.co/SkKglwQycb
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 2, 2015
New York Daily News—HELLS YES. #SanBernadino pic.twitter.com/nMTxhuLGTW
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) December 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/bardwellta/status/672265444611350530
Too provocative? .@NYDailyNews says bluntly on cover: ‘God Isn’t Fixing This’ https://t.co/2KO2rUzpAh #SanBernadino pic.twitter.com/odT2rZ131I
— Jessica Durando (@JessicaDurando) December 3, 2015
Are you listening, #USA? The @NYDailyNews answers the "thoughts and prayers" crowd pic.twitter.com/LCP73DeXwr
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) December 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/ctsotsoros/status/672236061364387840
Gotta hand it to @NYDailyNews for taking no prisoners with this one. pic.twitter.com/Z6qGKF9xjN #gunsense
— ??? Bodak Red ???? (@AFarray) December 3, 2015