Seddique Mateen says of his attendance ‘it’s a Democratic party, so everyone can join’ as Clinton campaign states he was not invited as a guest

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The father of the man who killed 49 people in a gay Orlando nightclub in June has endorsed Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, appearing behind Clinton at a rally in Kissimmee, Florida, last night.



“Hillary Clinton is good for United States versus Donald Trump, who has no solutions,” Seddique Mateen, father of deceased shooter Omar Mateen, told WPTV. Of his attendance at the rally, Mateen said: “It’s a Democratic party, so everyone can join.”

The Clinton campaign has issued a short statement stating that Mateen was not invited to the Kissimmee event, despite his proximity to the candidate. “The rally was a 3,000-person, open-door event for the public,” the campaign said. “This individual wasn’t invited as a guest and the campaign was unaware of his attendance until after the event.”

Clinton began the rally in Kissimmee by paying tribute to those killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting in June.

“I know how many people, families, loved ones and friends are still grieving, and we will be with you as you rebuild your lives,” Clinton said.