Donald Trump did an appearance with Tucker Carlson on Thursday night. In the course of that conversation, the subject of former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney came up.
Here’s what Trump said of her:
She’s a radical war hawk. Let’s put her with the rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK, let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.
I do not think Trump is expressly calling for Cheney’s assassination. And I get that he’s saying all of this in the context of her alleged support for foreign wars.
But, like, it’s still not ok? Trump is someone of considerable influence and power. The idea that everyone who hears these comments will understand the full context of what he’s saying and get that he’s not really suggesting someone should shoot Cheney is a stretch. Big time.
Trump does a very good job of always giving himself an out. I was talking about war, not assassination! He’s always able to wriggle out of direct blame. But that does not change the fact that saying “Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face” about another public figure — or, really, anyone — is deeply incendiary. And irresponsible.
It just is. This has zero to do with partisan politics. This has to do with decency. How we treat and talk about each other. And the impact that words and images have. (And by the way, I think it is wrong and irresponsible to call Trump “Hitler” and make Nazi comparisons too.)
Trump has never understood or cared (or both) about any of that. And, quite frankly, it’s dangerous.
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The Morning: Donald Trump is never going to get it