Part 10/12:
Leaders across the spectrum—Republican and Democrat alike—asserted that political violence has no place in America. Donald Trump called for the country to unite against the violent acts that threaten free debate and democracy. Yet, critics point out that the political environment, especially on the left, has historically included aggressive rhetoric, demonization, and calls for protests that have often crossed into incitement.
The media, for their part, have been accused of amplifying divisive language, with warnings that decades of planting hatred and suspicion have created a context where such violence becomes possible. Many argue that the rise in political violence is a direct reflection of the toxic, dehumanizing discourse promoted by influential figures on the left.