Once more, former President Donald Trump is under fire for his penchant for incendiary language, this time with his recent declaration at a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, where he ominously proclaimed, “If I don’t get elected it’s going to be a bloodbath for the country.” Now, he’s attacking the media for reporting it.
While Trump attempted to cloak his statement as a bleak economic prognosis for the American auto industry, the White House swiftly condemned it for its broader insinuations, with spokespeople for President Joe Biden accusing Trump of not just rhetoric but of tacitly endorsing political violence. This condemnation was particularly poignant considering Trump’s simultaneous lamentation over the fate of the “J6 hostages” at the same event, clearly signaling a dog whistle for potential unrest.
Undeterred by the backlash, Trump took to Truth Social to gaslight the public, alleging that the media feigned shock over his use of the word “bloodbath,” despite understanding his supposed economic concerns. His attempt to deflect criticism by blaming the media and Democratic adversaries only serves to underscore his persistent efforts to manipulate public perception.
“The Fake News Media, and their Democrat Partners in the destruction of our Nation, pretended to be shocked at my use of the word BLOODBATH, even though they fully understood that I was simply referring to imports allowed by Crooked Joe Biden, which are killing the automobile industry. The United Auto Workers, but not their leadership, fully understand what I mean,” Trump wrote. “With the Electric Car Mandate being pushed by Biden, there soon won’t be any cars made in the USA – UNLESS I’M ELECTED PRESIDENT, IN WHICH CASE AUTO MANUFACTURING WILL THRIVE LIKE NEVER BEFORE!!! MAGA2024”
In an interview with Fox News journalist Howard Kurtz, Trump continued his divisive rhetoric, targeting late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, dehumanizing migrants by likening them to “vermin,” and advocating for extreme measures such as amending the Constitution and supporting stringent abortion bans to court favor with the Christian right. These actions and statements further expose Trump’s calculated attempts to sow division and stoke political tensions for his own gain.
