Tough-guy talk about āradical-left lunaticsā is an extreme spin on an old playbook but plays well with his Republican base
Donald Trump delights in railing against his enemies, and when protesters set up encampments at college campuses nationwide to decry Israelās invasion of Gaza, the former US president gained another useful antagonist.
For some observers, Trumpās language is both dangerous in the current political environment as he seeks to rile up his base and a dark hint at how he might treat dissent and demonstrations should he defeatĀ Joe BidenĀ and achieve his ambition of returning to the White House in 2025.
His language is certainly extreme.
āThese are radical-left lunatics, and theyāve got to be stopped now,ā Trump said earlier this month outside the Manhattan courtroom where he isĀ being tried on business fraud charges.
The day prior, police hadĀ rounded up demonstrators at Columbia University, home to one of the most contentious protest sites. Trump called the sweep āa beautiful thing to watchā.
āCanāt you just shoot them, just shoot them in the legs or something?ā
-Trump, regarding the peaceful protest of the killing of George Floyd
āThese were great people.ā āUnbelievable patriotsā āPeaceful peopleā āHostagesā
-Trump, regarding the Jan. 6th insurrectionists
Are those actual quotes?
Yes.
https://www.npr.org/2022/05/09/1097517470/trump-esper-book-defense-secretary
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/11/trump-jan-6-insurrection-these-were-great-people-499165
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/21/trump-interview-i-alone-can-fix-it/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-republicans-jan-6-hostages-violence-capitol-police-rcna143888