Social media erupted on Tuesday after President Donald Trump appeared to acknowledge limits to the Second Amendment, triggering sarcasm, criticism and accusations of double standards rather than praise.
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Speaking to reporters as he boarded Marine One en route to Iowa, the US president referred to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, who was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Trump suggested Pretti should not have been carrying a firearm while documenting the actions of agents.
When pressed on the constitutional right to bear arms, the president doubled down, framing the incident as avoidable and deeply unfortunate.
Trump Comments Raise Questions About Second Amendment Limits
“You can’t walk in with guns,” he said. “You can’t do that. It’s just a very unfortunate incident.”
The remarks marked a rare departure from Trump’s usual staunch defence of gun rights and immediately drew attention for implying that the Second Amendment is not absolute, despite allowing firearms to be carried in public.
The comments followed an appearance by FBI Director Kash Patel on Fox News a day earlier, during which Patel incorrectly stated that protesters are prohibited from bringing loaded firearms to demonstrations.
Media and Public Highlight Perceived Inconsistencies
CNN’s Anderson Cooper noted the apparent selectivity in his stance on gun ownership, observing that the president’s support for the Second Amendment often depends on “who’s carrying the gun and who gets killed.” He added: “Alex Pretti was apparently not his kind of gun owner.”
The president’s remarks also come against the backdrop of recent policy and legal developments. Ten months ago, his administration removed an advisory that classified gun violence as a public health issue.
Earlier this month, a US appeals court ruled that California’s ban on openly carrying firearms in most public places was unconstitutional.
Social Media Reacts With Sarcasm and Accusations of Hypocrisy
Online reaction was swift, with many users pointing to what they viewed as a contradiction between the president’s long-standing pro-gun rhetoric and his comments on Pretti’s death.
Posts ranged from biting sarcasm to direct accusations of hypocrisy, amplifying the controversy across platforms.
Trump: "With that being said, you can't have guns. You can't walk in with guns. You just can't. You can't walk in with guns. You can't do that. But it's just a very unfortunate incident." pic.twitter.com/r9PE9pPJd4
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 27, 2026
Good afternoon @NRA, how we feeling today? https://t.co/P9aYKXg0d0
— Congressman Herb Conaway (@RepHerbConaway) January 27, 2026
Trump is attacking the 2nd amendment rights of licensed concealed carry holders who all go through background checks and routinely carry a concealed firearm like they carry a wallet. https://t.co/nN4gCXp2Kg
— Tom Joseph (@TomJChicago) January 27, 2026
"Don't Tread On Me" bros warming up, stretching, hydrating, preparing to stoop the lowest they have ever stooped to lick Trump's boots as he ramps up his attacks on the Second Amendment https://t.co/zW4a44d3Uz
— Pedro L. Gonzalez (@emeriticus) January 27, 2026
If Obama had said this Alex Jones would've gone live for 12 hours with a beet red face in a fat-jiggling rampage about tyranny and totalitarianism https://t.co/2rjcRJmt4A
— Secular Talk (KyleKulinskiShow@bsky.social) (@KyleKulinski) January 27, 2026
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