US President Donald Trump is facing online backlash over a photo which shows the Commander in Chief smiling and giving a thumbs-up next to a two-month-old boy who was orphaned in the El Paso mass shooting.

The image, which was published on the Twitter account of first lady Melania Trump, has been criticised as little more than a ‘publicity stunt’.

When you turn a tragedy into a publicity stunt. Zero shame in that 🤡 — Eric Edlund (@EdlundEric) August 9, 2019

The child’s parents Andre and Jordan Anchondo were shot dead when a lone gunman walked into a Walmart outlet and killed 22 people and injured 24 others.

Twitter/FLOTUS

The devastating act is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism, with the FBI examining whether the incident should be classified as a hate crime.

The controversial photo was posted with a number of other images depicting the President and First Lady meeting with first responders and local hospital staff.

Why does he think it's appropriate to take such a photo with a dozen grinning "props"?



It's a somber occasion, dude. Not a celebration. We shouldn't need to explain it. Like tossing paper towels to people whose entire lives have been turned upside down and inside out. — Janet Linde (@siouxsiespal) August 9, 2019

Standing next to the US President is the child’s uncle Tito Anchondo.

In an effort to squash criticism over the photo, Mr Anchondo has told NPR “people are misconstruing President Trump’s ideas. My brother was very supportive of Trump.”

Melania is the best FLOTUS ever. — J.Wow (@J_Wow__) August 8, 2019

The US President did not meet with any of the eight shooting survivors during his visit to the health facility.

Three survivors were not in suitable condition to meet the Commander in Chief or do not speak English, while the remaining five declined the offer.

Twenty-one-year-old Patrick Crusius has been charged over the deadly assault and has told police he had been targeting ‘Mexicans’ during his attack.