Trump Blames Democrats for Heated Climate Amid His Own Controversial Rhetoric

During a campaign rally in July, former President Donald Trump experienced a dramatic incident when he was shot in the ear. At the time, he initially called for unity, but that message quickly faded.

Following a second apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club on Sunday, Trump shifted his rhetoric dramatically. Less than a day later, he pointed fingers at Democrats for the political violence, claiming that the rhetoric from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris was leading people to shoot at him. He argued that their words were damaging the country both internally and externally.

Trump also took to social media to accuse Harris of escalating a “whole new level of Hatred, Abuse, and Distrust” in politics. He warned that such “Communist Left Rhetoric” is resulting in violence, asserting that matters will worsen if it continues.

While Trump suggested that the suspects in these attacks were “radical left,” no motives have been publicly confirmed. Reports indicate that investigators are looking into the background of Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect from Florida, who was reportedly frustrated with Trump’s stance on Ukraine. In the previous incident at a Pennsylvania rally, the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, registered as a Republican but had made a modest donation to a progressive group.

Despite the circumstances, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, reinforced this blame-the-Democrats strategy during a campaign event in Michigan. He urged a halt to the attacks on Trump, warning that continued aggression could result in someone getting seriously harmed.

Susan Benesch, founding director of the Dangerous Speech Project, noted that Trump’s rhetoric should be viewed in light of his history of violent language. She suggested that even though Trump’s claims about political rivals being threats are valid, they nonetheless reflect his own problematic communication style.

In response to the shooting, both Biden and Harris expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. Biden described his recent conversation with Trump as “nice,” while Harris made it clear that political violence is unacceptable. She emphasized the need for healthy debates and discussions without the use of violence.

Trump’s campaign has compiled a list of over 50 statements made by Democrats that they claim incite violence. Many of these statements label Trump as a “threat to democracy,” often made in discussions surrounding his false assertions about the 2020 election and the events of January 6, 2021.

Among the quotes cited was a controversial statement from Democratic Representative Dan Goldman, who indicated that Trump was “destructive to democracy” and should be “eliminated.” Goldman later clarified that while he wished for Trump to be defeated in the election, he did not condone violence.

When asked whether Biden would continue to label Trump as a “threat to democracy,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre indicated that he intends to remain truthful about the risks posed by the former president.

Many commentators have observed the stark contrast between the criticisms from Democrats and Trump’s often aggressive and misleading statements regarding a range of issues, including election integrity and immigration.

Trump has faced scrutiny for his comments following the January 6 Capitol riots, which included a defense of those involved. Despite adamantly denying any wrongdoing, he has faced allegations regarding his conduct during and after the attacks.

Historians like Jennifer Mercieca argue that Trump’s approach to political rhetoric is unprecedented, marking a departure from traditional norms. Mercyica underscored that Democrats’ critiques of Trump are grounded in true facts.

Benesch highlights a notable shift in political discourse since Trump’s emergence on the political scene. She pointed out that while Trump’s supporters are not the only ones using violence-inducing language, they engage in it far more than others in American politics.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former advisor to Trump, expressed on social media that everyone needs to lower the political temperature. She called it disingenuous for Trump and his allies to criticize his opponents for using language similar to his own, which includes terms like “fascist” and “traitors.”

Trump’s campaign countered these criticisms by stating that he is the only presidential candidate who has faced two assassination attempts. They have attributed violence to the political left, challenging Harris to renounce claims that Trump poses a threat to democracy.

Benesch argued that the crucial step to ease the current tensions in political discourse is for leaders to denounce harmful rhetoric across party lines. Unfortunately, she expressed little hope that this would occur before upcoming elections, highlighting a lack of political incentive to address such issues.

While the political landscape remains charged, calls for accountability and responsibility continue to resonate among observers and experts alike.

Source: ABC News