Trump: Rabbi in Poway shooting a ‘great guy’

President Trump said Monday that the injured rabbi who was shot at a synagogue in California is a “great guy.”

Trump said in an early morning tweet he had an extended phone call with Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein from the Chabad of Poway on Sunday, one day after a shooting that left one worshipper dead and several others injured, including Goldstein.

“I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California,” Trump wrote Monday morning. “What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!”

I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019

Goldstein was shot in the hand when he was confronted by the attacker Saturday at the San Diego-area synagogue, according to authorities, with the rabbi saying he put his hands up.

{mosads}Officials said Lori Kaye, a worshipper at the synagogue, was shot and killed after she stepped in front of Goldstein.

Goldstein confirmed his conversation with Trump to reporters on Sunday.

Trump previously visited a synagogue in Pittsburgh that was the scene of a mass shooting last year that killed 11 people.

Trump at the time suggested armed guards at places of worship could prevent similar incidents from taking place.