Former President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric following a second apparent assassination attempt against him, using the incident to fuel even more incendiary claims.
In July, a bullet narrowly missed Trump during a shooting at a rally, which resulted in the death of a bystander. At the time, Trump expressed a brief sense of unity, stating he had an opportunity to unite the nation. However, this brief moment of sanity quickly dissipated, giving way to more familiar rhetoric.
On September 13, 2024, after the Secret Service intercepted a gunman who had allegedly waited for Trump at a Florida golf course, Trump’s response was markedly different. He accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of inciting violence against him. Trump asserted without evidence that the would-be assassin was motivated by the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, who have criticized Trump as a threat to democracy.
Trump told Fox News Digital: “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country — both from the inside and out.” He labeled the incident as an example of “the enemy from within,” echoing themes used by totalitarian leaders to blame domestic opposition for violence.
Meanwhile, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, further pushed the narrative, arguing that the left needs to “tone down” their rhetoric, pointing out that no recent threats have targeted Kamala Harris, whereas Trump has faced two apparent assassination attempts in recent months.
Democratic Rep. Nikema Williams criticized Vance’s remarks, calling them irresponsible and counterproductive. “We can disagree on policies, but we don’t want anyone to face a threat on their life,” Williams stated, emphasizing the need for unity rather than escalating tensions.
The political stakes are high with less than 50 days until the election, and Trump, facing a tight race with Vice President Harris amid a mountain of legal problems, continues to use the incidents to stoke political fires. Former Minnesota
Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, told CNN that anyone targeted for assassination would likely be agitated, but he also warned against using such attacks for political gain.
The precise motivations of the suspected shooter, Ryan Wesley Routh, remain unclear. Routh had previously advocated for increased aid to Ukraine, conflicting with Trump’s stance on ending the war with Russia. The connection between a politician’s rhetoric and individual actions is often difficult to trace, though the fear remains that some may be influenced by extreme political speech.
Trump’s claims that Biden and Harris are directly responsible for the threats against him highlight his tendency to escalate tensions. His assertion that their criticisms of him are tantamount to incitement suggests a troubling view of free speech and political opposition.
Trump’s provocative rhetoric has been a hallmark of his political career. He has consistently used extreme language, labeling opponents as “fascists” and comparing his political adversaries to historical tyrants. His refusal to accept the outcome of the 2020 election and his threats to challenge this year’s results if he deems them unfair further demonstrate his confrontational approach.
Trump’s rhetoric has also incited threats against others, including public figures and election workers. The impact of his inflammatory statements is evident in places like Springfield, Ohio, where threats have surged in response to his claims.
While Trump continues to be a target of violent threats, he remains a significant actor in perpetuating the toxic political climate. His actions and words underscore his role in both being a victim and an instigator of the current era of extreme political rhetoric.
