Chuck Schumer Says ‘Go Bills’ Before Addressing Brown, Sydney Shootings

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing mounting backlash after a viral video captured him celebrating a Buffalo Bills win at the outset of a press conference that was ostensibly convened to address a string of deadly mass shootings over the weekend.

The controversy erupted after two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration near Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 15 people and sending 27 others to the hospital. Jewish attendees were reportedly targeted in what authorities have described as an antisemitic terrorist attack. Just one day earlier, another mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, left two students dead and nine injured.

Despite the gravity of the moment, Schumer opened his Sunday press conference — which was primarily focused on alleged A.I.-related price gouging — with remarks that many critics say were wildly out of place.

“First I’m going to, of course, talk about Instacart and their ripping off the consumer, and then of course I’m going to say a few words about the terrible shooting in Sydney, Australia. Okay?” Schumer said.

He then added, drawing immediate attention online:

“So, and first of course as I always say no matter what, go Bills, they beat the Patriots today its a big deal.”

The Buffalo Bills defeated the New England Patriots 35–31 in Sunday’s NFL matchup.

Only afterward did Schumer turn to the shootings, stating, “These sickening events have become far too normal in our world. We must do more to stop gun violence.”

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Schumer’s decision to inject football fandom into a somber moment sparked swift condemnation — particularly from conservatives — who argued the remarks were tone-deaf, unserious, and emblematic of Washington’s political class being detached from real-world suffering.

Edited clips of the moment spread rapidly across social media, driven largely by conservative accounts. Over a 12-hour period on Sunday, one video clip on X surpassed one million views. Under the platform’s rules, a view is counted when a video is at least half on screen for a minimum of two seconds.

Conservative podcaster Alec Lace, host of The Alec Lace Show, shared the clip on X, where it also topped one million views. He wrote: “TONE DEAF AF. Chuck Schumer says he’ll comment on the shooting at Brown University and the terrorist attack in Australia… But first… GO BILLS!”

James Hutton, a former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, responded to the same clip with biting criticism, writing: “If you still wonder about whether Chuck Schumer cares about the Australian shooting victims, reread his quote,” before reposting Schumer’s “go Bills” comment.

As of Monday morning, authorities were still searching for the suspect involved in the Brown University shooting.

Australian police have not publicly released the names of the Bondi Beach attackers, though local media have identified them as Naveed Akram, who remains hospitalized with critical injuries, and his father, Sajid Akram, who was shot by police and died at the scene.

Following the backlash, Schumer issued statements on X condemning the violence.

“The horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at a Hanukkah festival in Sydney is beyond appalling. It is a shocking reminder that antisemitism and hate is not only toxic and far too present and widespread around the world, it is deadly. It must be vigorously condemned, confronted and overcome. As Jewish communities light the Hanukkah candles around the world, a holiday of light and dedication, may we find light in the darkness and rededicate ourselves to fighting the scourge of hate,” Schumer tweeted.

In a separate post addressing the Brown University shooting, he wrote: “I am heartbroken for those killed and injured by yet another horrific shooting, this time at Brown University. No student, professor, or any American should fear for their life when on campus. We must do more to stop this senseless gun violence.”