As we know, there have been protests at Trump events. As we also know, this happens in one form or another to just about all candidates.
But, in Trump’s case, those protests grew to larger protests. Then to larger, more disruptive protests. And now they have grown to disruptions so large and disruptive that either much of what Trump says is lost (Saint Louis) or Trump is prevented from speaking altogether (Chicago)…complete with overt threats of violence.
Who is to blame?
Well, let’s start at the beginning. The first, and primary, blame is the protesters/disrupters/threateners of violence.
It is one thing to assemble peacefully and disagree with a candidate, entirely another to do what these fascist/brownshirt clones are doing.
But let’s also understand that Trump’s reaction to the protests – the gloating “get them out of here” comments, complete with insults hurled at protesters as they are hauled off, the obvious joy when protesters are physically jostled in some way, the “I’ll pay your legal expenses” for what audience members would do to them, are intentional incitement.
Yes, it thrills the crowds. And I don’t blame them either. Most of us are happy when people who are rude, unruly and, in our view, wrong, get the business instead of being treated as some kind of protected species.
But this also causes the rude/unruly/wrong set to escalate. And that is what we have seen at the most recent Trump rallies. It is actually frightening to consider what might come next.
Is Trump wrong to be angry and lash out at these people? No he is not.
Is the way he demonstrates his anger likely to generate more disruptions with more ominous overtones? As we have seen, the answer is yes.
Being right about the disrupters does not leave a door wide open to say and do anything at all. At some point, the reaction becomes as bad as, even worse than, the disruption.
Bottom line: There is plenty of blame to go around here.
Primary blame goes to the fascists/brownshirts who can’t stand any speech but their own seeing the light of day.
But Trump, given the opportunity to deal with this any way he chooses, has almost always taken the most provocative, rabble-rousing road he can find. The road almost certain to generate more and greater anti-Trump activity…which may well be at the point where it will descend into overt violence.
That is why he is also to blame.
Ken, Like you said yesterday, it generates more sympathy for him. So I can see why he taunts them, it is a net plus for his candidacy. Hell, it even makes you and I take his side against these unruly idiots protesting him.
free – I wish you were wrong about it being a net plus for him. But…..