Donald Trump calls beating of Boston man ‘terrible’

Scott Leader (left) and Steve Leader (right) say Trump’s comments inspired them to beat a homeless man in Dorchester. Photo courtesy of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office

By Amanda Hoover @amahoover

August 21, 2015

1 minute to read

Donald Trump took to Twitter Friday to note that he likes the energy and passion of his supporters, but found the beating of a homeless man in Boston to be “terrible.’’

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The “incident’’ Trump referred to occured earlier this week when two South Boston brothers beat a homeless Hispanic man in Dorchester, saying that they had been partially inspired by Trump and his harsh stance against Hispanic immigrants coming to the country illegally.

In his initial response, Trump told The Boston Globe that “it would be a shame . . . I will say that people who are following me are very passionate. They love this country and they want this country to be great again. They are passionate.’’

Now, Trump seems more inclined to distance himself from the situation, saying that he “would never condone violence’’ and calling for Americans to treat each other with respect—a bold request from the presidential candidate who has said, “I cannot say I have to respect the person that — if it’s not me — the person that wins [the Republican nomination.]’’