Trump Holds North Korea Responsible for Warmbier's Death, Claims He Was 'Misinterpreted'
President Trump feels that his comments about Otto Warmbier's deaths – and Kim Jong Un's innocence in the matter – were "misinterpreted."
Earlier today, President Trump told reporters that he didn't think North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was responsible for the 22-year-old student's death.
As reported by ABC News, Warmbier's parents vehemently disagreed and said "Kim and his evil regime are responsible for the death" of our son, Otto.
Fred and Cindy Warmbier, 22-year-old Otto Warmbier's bereaved parents. Source: Getty Images
Other celebrities have also spoken out against Trump, including actor Mia Farrow, who said on Twitter:
"We saw you on TV saying: '(Kim) tells me he didn’t know about it and I will take him at his word.' Otto was an American college kid swiping a poster. For that, Kim’s court gave him 15 years hard labor. They killed him within 16 months. Your 'friend' is a murderous monster."
Following the public outcry, President Trump backtracked on his statement and said he doesn't like to be misinterpreted, "especially when it comes to Otto Warmbier and his great family."
He assured the public that Warmbier "will not have died in vain," and that Warmbier and his parents "have become a tremendous symbol of strong passion."
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway also came to Trump's defense, saying "he's said time and again" that the holds North Korea responsible. She explained:
"What the president is saying is that there is no indication Chairman Kim knew what happened to Otto Warmbier when it happened. It was after he was returned here to the United States that we all learned of his very sad and frankly unforgivable state."