Vice President Kamala Harris accused Donald Trump of desiring dictatorial powers during a live televised debate, setting the stage for a dramatic sequence of events including a second attempt on the former president's life.

Harris' charge against Trump is garnering new scrutiny, given that yet another assassination attempt on her Republican rival unfolded over the weekend, with some suggesting it is evidence of unacceptable rhetorical escalation, as Breitbart reports.

During last week's debate hosted by ABC News, Harris sharply criticized Trump's presidency, asserting, "Donald Trump wants to be a dictator on day one." This serious accusation went unchecked by moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis.

Furthermore, Harris described Trump’s term as "the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War," a comment that also received no immediate fact-checking from the debate moderators, leaving viewers without clarification on these assertive claims.

The debate, widely viewed across the nation, showcased sharp exchanges between the two presidential candidates, highlighting their starkly different visions for America’s future.

A Week Marked by Violence and Rhetoric

Mere days after the debate, the political tension took a more sinister turn. Trump survived a harrowing second assassination attempt near his golf course.

The assailant, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, had previously expressed concerns on social media that mirrored Harris’s rhetoric, stating that "democracy was at stake" in the upcoming election -- a phrase Harris has also used in her campaign.

This incident starkly highlighted the dangers of inflamed political rhetoric and its potential to incite extreme actions.

Details of the Second Assassination Attempt

Authorities reported that Routh was apprehended hiding in the bushes near Trump International Golf Course. He was found with an AK-47 and a GoPro camera, suggesting premeditation and a plan to record the attack.

During the debate, Trump had voiced concerns about being a target due to the Democratic portrayal of him as a threat to democracy, hinting at the potential motivations behind such violent acts against him.

Muir summarily dismissed Trump’s concerns during the debate and quickly moved on to other topics, leaving some viewers questioning the depth of discussion on such critical issues.

Previous Threats and Broader Implications

This was not the first attempt on Trump's life; he had narrowly escaped an earlier assassination in July during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to wound Trump and tragically kill a former fire chief while injuring two others.

President Joe Biden has also previously referred to Trump as a dictator, echoing a term fraught with grave implications, especially given the timing before the first assassination attempt.

The overlap in rhetoric used by political figures and the language of those committing acts of violence sparks ongoing debate about the responsibility of leaders to temper their words with consideration for their potential impact.

Examining the Role of Debate Moderators

The role of moderators in such debates has come under scrutiny. The lack of fact-checking significant accusations can leave the public with skewed perceptions of political figures, potentially inflaming tensions further.

Harris's comments during the debate, paired with the moderators' responses -- or lack thereof -- has raised questions about media responsibility in political discourse.

This debate and its tumultuous aftermath serve as a stark reminder of the powerful effect that words and media coverage can have on the political landscape and the safety of public figures.