Trump offers condolences for Manchester bombing while condemning 'evil losers' with 'wicked ideology'

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

President Donald Trump addressed the deadly attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, labeling it a terrorist act and calling the perpetrators "evil losers."

"I would like to begin by offering my prayers to the people of Manchester," Trump said, at a new conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "I extend my deepest condolences to those so terribly injured in this terrorist attack and to the many killed, and the families, so many families, of the victims."

"We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom."

The president also used the news conference as an opportunity to call the person or people behind the attack "evil losers."

"So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life," Trump said. "I won't call these people monsters, because they would like that term. They would think that's a great name."

"I will call them, from now on, losers. Because that's what they are, they're losers."

Trump tied the attack in to his talks with Middle East leaders on his trip abroad.

"Our society can have no tolerance for this continuation of bloodshed," Trump said. "We can not stand a moment longer for the slaughter of innocent people, and in today's attack it was mostly innocent children."

"This wicked ideology must be obliterated, and I mean completely obliterated, and the innocent life must be protected."

At least 22 people were killed in Monday night's attack, and 59 people injured. 

Manchester police say one individual who died in the explosion was behind the attack, using an improvised explosive device.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed Tuesday morning that Trump spoke with UK Prime Minister Theresa May "to offer condolences and support on behalf of the US."

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