Illinois Senator Apologizes For Fake Trump 'Assassination' Photos

WINFIELD, IL — Images from a political fundraiser held Friday night for 11th District Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval showing a man pointing a fake assault weapon at another man wearing a Donald Trump mask have drawn criticism — and apology from Sandoval. Another photo shared in a tweet from the event at the Klein Creek Golf Club in west suburban Winfield shows the man who pointed the fake gun posing with Sandoval himself, but it's unclear whether Sandoval, a Democrat who has been a state senator since 2003, knew about the staged Trump photos.

Still, Sandoval has made a public apology for the display that has since been condemned by both Democratic and Republican political leaders.

"The incident that took place is unacceptable," Sandoval said in a report published by WCIA, a Champaign, Illinois-based television station. "I don’t condone violence toward the president or anyone else. I apologize that something like this happened at my event."

Sandoval's 11th District covers a portion of several south and west suburbs of Chicago such as Forest View, Stickney, Lyons and Summit, as well a part of the city's South Side as well.

Multiple reports state that donors paid $250 to attend the fundraiser for Sandoval.

A political fundraiser for @SenatorSandoval simulates an assassination attempt against a mock @realDonaldTrump decked out in Mexican garb. Looks like a man pointed a fake assault weapon at the fake President to pose for a picture. pic.twitter.com/MlT9zjB1mn
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) August 17, 2019