Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped a second assassination attempt in less than nine weeks, this time while at his Palm Beach golf club on Sunday, and the alleged assailant, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was reportedly armed with an AK-47-style rifle outfitted with a scope.

Trump’s team quickly pointed to the inflammatory rhetoric from prominent Democrats and media personalities as a driving force behind the attempts, claiming the harsh language used by political figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden has fueled an atmosphere of violence against Trump and his supporters, as the Daily Wire reports.

First Assassination Attempt Kills Trump Supporter

The first attack on Trump’s life took place at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a supporter, Corey Comperatore, was tragically killed. During that incident, Trump managed to avoid serious injury, though the deadly outcome underscored the dangers surrounding the former president as he campaigns ahead of the 2024 election.

Both attempts have intensified discussions about the impact of incendiary political rhetoric, with Trump’s team drawing direct connections between the words of their opponents and these violent acts.

Trump Campaign Calls Out “Extreme Rhetoric”

Following the latest assassination attempt, Trump’s campaign sent out an email to supporters, attributing the attack to what they described as “extreme rhetoric” coming from Democrats and members of the media. The email specifically mentioned Harris, who has referred to Trump as a “threat to our democracy” on multiple occasions. The campaign also cited a growing list of over 50 instances of similar rhetoric from various Democratic leaders and media figures.

Statements from President Joe Biden were highlighted as well, including his remark that Trump should be “put in a bullseye” and his repeated references to Trump as an “existential threat” to the United States. These remarks, according to Trump’s team, have contributed to an environment where political violence is encouraged.

Specific Examples of Political Rhetoric Named

Harris has been one of the most vocal critics of Trump, often calling him a danger to democracy. In one notable comment, she stated, “Does one of us have to come out alive?” during a discussion about the divisiveness Trump has allegedly caused in American politics. Her statements, along with those from many other Democrats, were cited by Trump’s team as key contributors to the climate of hostility.

In addition to Harris, President Joe Biden’s rhetoric has been a major focus. Biden has repeatedly called Trump a “threat to the soul of the country” and an “existential danger to democracy.” Other Democratic figures, including lawmakers Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, and Dan Goldman, have echoed these sentiments in public statements.

Media Coverage Reacts to the Attack

In the aftermath of the Palm Beach incident, media outlets, including NBC News, offered varied interpretations of the event.

Some commentators, like NBC’s Lester Holt, linked the violence to what they described as Trump’s own aggressive campaign rhetoric, citing examples of his vice-presidential pick, JD Vance, making divisive remarks. Holt stated that the former president continues to make “baseless claims” about the political opposition, which in turn, stirs heightened tensions.

Similarly, publications like the Cincinnati Enquirer argued that Trump’s behavior and rhetoric may have played a role in escalating the potential for violence, suggesting that the former president “brings a lot of this stuff on himself.”

Trump’s Team Condemns Political Divisiveness

Trump’s allies quickly countered these media narratives, accusing the press of shifting blame away from the political leaders whose remarks they believe have encouraged such attacks.

Trump’s team reiterated their stance that Democrats, particularly Vice President Harris and President Biden, have used dangerous language that paints Trump and his supporters as threats to democracy. This characterization, they argued, serves as a green light for individuals to take matters into their own hands.

The team continues to assert that over 50 instances of inflammatory language from Democrats and media personalities have directly contributed to the volatile political environment in the U.S.

Conclusion: Political Rhetoric’s Role in Escalating Tensions

As Trump recovers from his second brush with an assassin, questions about the role of political rhetoric in modern-day America remain at the forefront of the national conversation. Trump’s campaign insists that the extreme language used by Democrats and the media has created a dangerous atmosphere that fosters violence against him and his supporters.

While some media outlets have attempted to frame the issue differently, suggesting Trump’s own rhetoric may be contributing to this cycle of hostility, the former president’s team is focused on highlighting what they see as a pattern of incendiary comments from political opponents. As the 2024 election approaches, this ongoing debate over the impact of political language is unlikely to subside.

In conclusion, both assassination attempts on Donald Trump highlight a concerning escalation in political violence, with the former president's team calling attention to the divisive language from political figures and the media that they claim fuels such actions.

Whether this rhetoric directly influences individuals to act remains a critical question as the nation braces for what promises to be a highly charged election season.