The recent assassination attempt near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, has sparked intense debate over the media's influence on political violence. Former FBI counterterrorism agent Tim Clemente suggests that the suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was likely "extremely politically motivated" and that anti-Trump rhetoric from Democrats and the media may have fueled his actions.
Appearing on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront," Clemente stated, "I would think we're going to find that this guy [Routh] is extremely politically motivated and that he probably was spurred on by much of the political diatribes that are going on these days." He emphasized that distortions about former President Donald Trump, such as taking his references to a "bloodbath" out of context and equating him to dictators, have contributed to heightened tensions.
"Sadly, the finger-pointing at Trump has led to, you know, the line about the bloodbath, talking about the auto industry being used as if he's going to create a bloody coup if he loses," Clemente noted. "That kind of the verbiage is something you use in a third-world country when you're talking about a dictator, and that sadly has led to, I think, these attempts on Trump's life."
Clemente's ominous prediction underscores the gravity of the situation: "I don't think this is the last we'll see of crazies out there trying to do this."
Concurrently, an analysis by the Media Research Center (MRC) reveals that major television networks have maintained overwhelmingly negative coverage of Trump, even in the wake of the assassination attempt. Reviewing 69 minutes of campaign coverage on ABC, CBS, and NBC evening newscasts over three days (September 15-17), MRC found that 95% of the evaluative comments about Trump were negative.
NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, just hours after the shooting, scolded Trump for his rhetoric: "Today’s apparent assassination attempt comes amid increasingly fierce rhetoric on the campaign trail itself. Mr. Trump [and] his running mate JD Vance continued to make baseless claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio." Similarly, CBS Weekend News reporter Skyler Henry linked Trump to tensions in Springfield, Ohio, stating, "The city has been thrust into the national conversation on immigration with unsubstantiated claims immigrants are eating pets."
ABC's Perry Russom also criticized Trump on World News Tonight, referring to his statements as "baseless claims amplified by President Trump at the ABC News debate." The networks continued to focus on Trump's controversial remarks rather than the implications of the assassination attempt.
Norah O'Donnell of CBS Evening News highlighted the issue further: "Donald Trump is blaming Democrats for inflaming political rhetoric, but the former President’s own words seem to be increasing the threat of political violence in Springfield, Ohio." CBS correspondent Nikole Killion echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that "viral unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets continue to circulate, amplified by former President Trump and running mate Ohio Senator JD Vance."
The MRC analysis pointed out that out of 48 minutes dedicated to the assassination attempt, the networks spent less than two minutes considering whether Democratic rhetoric could share the blame. NBC's Garrett Haake dismissed Trump's argument, stating, "Trump has also used incendiary language against Democrats, and authorities have not yet revealed a motive in either incident."
The persistent negative coverage raises concerns about the media's role in shaping public perception and potentially exacerbating political divisions. The MRC article suggests that "not even the second near-death experience of the former President is cause for even a brief cease-fire in the ongoing onslaught of negativity against Trump that marks TV’s 2024 campaign coverage."
In light of these developments, Clemente's warning takes on added significance. The combination of charged political rhetoric and predominantly negative media portrayal may contribute to a climate where extreme actions become more conceivable. As Clemente concluded, "I don't think it's going to end. I don't think this is the last we'll see of crazies out there trying to do this."
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