Parkland Student Says Trump ‘Only Listens to People’ Putting ‘Blood Money’ in His Pocket

Samuel Zeif has been one of the most outspoken voices for gun legislation since the listening session at the White House Wednesday afternoon, and he has continued his crusade on Thursday with some intense criticism of the president and the NRA.

Zeif — whose best friend, Joaquin Oliver, died in the shooting — had strong words for President Donald Trump when he spoke to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Thursday afternoon.

“Everyone saw on [Trump’s] notecard it said, I hear you. And I think he did hear us. But he wasn’t listening to us, mainly because he only listens to people putting money in his pocket,” Zeif said. “In this case, blood money. My friend’s blood. A lot of my classmates’ blood. I don’t think we’re going to get far with him right now.”

When Blitzer asked if Zeif was receptive to the initial idea of raising the age minimum for carrying a rifle to 21, the Parkland survivor scoffed.

“How many times have you read about a high school party? The age limit for drinking is 21. I don’t think an age limit is going to stop someone that wants to get [a gun],” he said. “I don’t think anyone should have it. I don’t think it should be available to the public at all. It’s a weapon of destruction, a weapon of war. It’s not what our founding fathers intended in the Second Amendment. They intended for defense and this is offense. This is for killing. This is not for protection.”

“So you didn’t leave the meeting at the White House with hope that the president would move, from your perspective, in the right direction?” Blitzer followed up.

“Not at all. We had a long talk with him. And I’m sure that right after we left, when everyone was gone, he had a long talk with the NRA,” Zeif responded. “Who is he going to listen to?”

Watch above, via CNN.

[image via screengrab]