A devastating mass shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14, 2025, has not only left Australia reeling, but also sparked a controversial social media reaction from prominent public figures, including Donald Trump Jr.
At least 15 people were killed and more than 40 injured when two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration, in what authorities have described as an antisemitic terrorist attack.
Officials say the shooters were a father and son, with the elder gunman killed by police and the younger wounded and taken into custody. The tragedy is being investigated as terrorism and has been labeled the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades.
Worldwide leaders and communities have condemned the attack, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to tighten the nation’s gun laws in response.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese said, pointing to the fact that the father gunman had legally owned multiple firearms for years.
Amid the global expressions of support for the victims and outrage over the tragedy, a social media post comparing tennis star Novak Djokovic to one of the Bondi Beach shooters gained attention after being reshared by Donald Trump Jr.
The comparison was directed at the Australian government’s decision to deport Djokovic in 2022 for his refusal to comply with the country’s COVID 19 vaccine regulations, an action that was widely debated at the time. Trump Jr. reposted the content on X, accompanied by a brief reaction: “Amazing Tweet. So sad. So true.”
The implication of the comparison was to highlight perceived inconsistency in Australia’s handling of Djokovic versus the shooters, a move that drew criticism for its insensitivity toward the victims and their families. While Djokovic‘s deportation was a matter of public health policy, the Bondi Beach attack resulted in loss of life and widespread trauma.
Public figures weigh in and stir controversy
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios also drew attention for reposting the same social media comparison, originally shared by former NBA player Andrew Bogut. Bogut’s message criticized the Australian government’s priorities with a blunt jab: “Australian Gov – Keeping you safe.”
The decision by Kyrgios, a high-profile Australian athlete who has previously clashed with government policies, added fuel to an already heated online debate. Many observers felt the timing was insensitive, given the scale of suffering and the fact that the shooting was declared an antisemitic act by authorities and condemned internationally.
Prime Minister Albanese described the shooting as a deeply troubling example of violence rooted in hatred. At a press briefing, he stressed national unity and solidarity with the Jewish community affected by the tragedy.
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