Trump supporters often seem like they are on a different planet, completely devoid of the same set of facts that the rest of us on Earth 1 face every single day. In their world, Earth 2, there was no insurrection, but if there was it was a secret plot by the FBI and ANTIFA… And somehow the people arrested were Trump supporters that definitely did not deserve to be arrested. Trump is an all-around great guy who never told a lie, really cares for the average working class American, was framed by the FBI, but he declassified the documents, never did anything wrong, is a self-made billionaire, and any attempt to say otherwise is a complete lie. It is those evil left-wing lunatics that are out to get him with a vast conspiracy that includes the media, Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, the Department Of Justice, democrats in Congress, a litany of federal and state judges, multiple prosecutors, multiple accusers and hundreds of other people that simply don't like him for no reason at all... all headed by Joe Biden… (The mastermind not the dementia riddled one.)
For what I fear will an be incredibly brief moment, mainstream Republicans have been temporally brought back to Earth 1, much like they were in the aftermath of January 6. On this planet, words have consequences, and ramping up political rhetoric can sometimes come back and bite you.
The recent attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler County, Pennsylvania, serves as a stark reminder of the perilous path we tread when political rhetoric is weaponized. And while it is very important to point out that we do not know what the motivation of the shooter was as of yet, it is hard not to see that this incident is a culmination of years of escalating hostility and divisive language, much of which has been stoked by those now calling for a reduction in heated discourse, while casting blame on "the media" for reporting the words of Donald Trump. After all, this is the man who demeans, name calls, attacks, and refuses to denounce threats against, anyone who dares to disagree with him or hold him accountable for anything. Even many of the people "supporting" Trump are doing so because they fear for their own lives.
These calls for lowering the temperature of the rhetoric ring hollow when we consider that for years, the same voices have amplified and normalized extreme rhetoric, fostering an environment where political violence becomes not only a conceivable course of action, but even a specifically called outcome. A recent poll indicated that 33% of Republicans actually were in support of political violence, before that violence arrived at a Trump rally.
The hypocrisy becomes even more glaring when we examine the merchandise promoted by the Trump campaign. Flags and paraphernalia emblazoned with slogans like "Fuck Joe Biden," "FJB," and "Fuck Your Feelings" are sold openly, and let's not even get started about the "let's go Brandon" fad of 2021. These are not just expressions of political dissent; they are blatant provocations that contribute to a culture of hostility and disrespect.
The events insurrection of January 6, 2021, epitomize the dangerous consequences of such rhetoric. The attack on the U.S. Capitol, which resulted in deaths, injuries, and a profound breach of democratic norms, there has been a concerted effort to reframe the narrative, diminishing the gravity of what transpired.
Similarly, the attempted kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, plotted by individuals influenced by incendiary political language, underscores the tangible threat posed by such rhetoric. Yet, this too was met with a disturbing level of minimization.
Donald Trump himself has a documented history of inciting violence. From encouraging his supporters at rallies with promises to "pay their legal fees" if they engaged in violent acts, to his egregious mockery of the attempted murder of Nancy Pelosi's husband, Trump's words have consistently crossed the line from robust political discourse to dangerous incitement.
It is imperative to state unequivocally that political violence, in any form, is unacceptable. Democracy thrives on debate, dissent, and the peaceful transition of power—not on intimidation, threats, or violence. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump is a manifestation of the very dangers that unchecked rhetoric can produce, and some thing that Democrats have been warning about for years.
People are entitled to support Donald Trump or Joe Biden without fearing for their safety at a rally or any political event. I will never understand why somebody would support Donald Trump today, but I will defend their right to do it while disagreeing with them with every fiber of my being. This principle is fundamental to a functioning democracy, where political expression should not come with the risk of violence. The real question we must ask is whether Trump supporters would feel the same outrage and urgency for unity if the tables were turned—if it were Joe Biden, instead of Donald Trump, who was the target of an assassination attempt. Would their calls for dialing down the rhetoric and fostering unity be as fervent? If the past is prologue the sad answer is they would not.
If political violence is to be universally condemned, then the rhetoric that fuels it must be addressed with equal fervor, irrespective of the political spectrum it originates from. Only then can we hope to cultivate a political environment where unity is not just a convenient slogan but a lived reality. The Democratic Party is really good at three things, staring in the mirror, navel gazing, and wetting the bed. It really is time for the Republican Party to borrow our mirror for a while.