Recent news has sent ripples through the political landscape: a second assassination attempt in just two months targeted Donald Trump at his Florida golf club. The incident raises disturbing questions about the state of political discourse in the United States. How has this violence become so normalized? And importantly, how much does rhetoric play a role?
July 13 still rings clear in many people’s minds—it marked a period of ramped-up political tension, with both sides seemingly unwilling to lower the volume on hostile speech. This is the context within which the recent attempt on Trump’s life must be understood.
The Dangerous Impact of Rhetoric
It wasn’t too long ago that President Biden called for toning down rhetoric in his speeches. His message felt like an attempt at de-escalation. Surprisingly, both Democrats and Republicans did dial it back—at least for a while. But it didn’t take long for the rhetoric to flare back up. Trump himself, in one of his acceptance speeches, ratcheted up the political noise again, and the country found itself exactly where it started.
To be clear, no one is out here blaming incendiary rhetoric solely for violent actions. That responsibility falls on the individuals. However, the undeniable truth is that hate speech is inflaming tensions and emboldening disturbed minds. And when powerful figures dehumanize their political opponents—using terms like “vermin”—it makes it easier for extreme actions to happen.
In a flashback to 2019, Trump himself pointed out that the internet can radicalize disturbed individuals. He was right. The dark corners of the web are filled with hate speech, and it’s no secret that this has led to real-world violence. When political figures use violent language, whether they mean to or not, they’re contributing to that radicalization.
But it would be naïve to think this is strictly a Trump issue. Political figures from both parties have fostered an environment where extremism and hostility have become all too familiar. Public figures like Kathy Griffin and other celebrities have crossed that same line, visualizing violent acts toward politicians, and it’s only contributed to the culture of animosity.
A Decade of Heightened Political Animosity
No one denies that Trump is a polarizing figure. But Trump’s rhetoric isn’t happening in a vacuum. Both sides have engaged in some form of inflammatory speech, and it’s been escalating for the past decade. Fear-based messaging has become a staple, often with Democrats saying that the country will cease to exist or democracy will disappear if Trump wins another election. While the hyperbole may be intended to motivate voters, it only serves to deepen the divide.
When you convince millions of people that an election result could mean the literal end of the country as they know it, expect chaos. People, no matter their political affiliation, feel justified in extreme actions when they think it’s tied to saving democracy itself.
Some argue that this isn’t about who’s right or wrong—it’s about the whole political climate pushing people to extremes. Trump, with his bombastic language, certainly isn’t innocent, but neither is an entire political machine that feeds off fear, anger, and division.
And then there’s the elephant in the room: gun violence. Political violence cannot be discussed without mentioning guns, especially assault weapons. Over and over, gun reform gets sidelined in favor of endless finger-pointing. While both parties talk about lowering political tensions, few focus on real solutions like curbing access to weapons that make violent extremists deadlier.
Addressing the Real Issue: Gun Violence
No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, the need to address gun violence is glaring. Political figures are increasingly becoming targets—whether it’s Trump, Biden, Harris, or any other leader—and the dangers are growing.
For years, America has had a lot of guns and, unfortunately, a lot of mentally unstable individuals. But there’s been a marked uptick in these targeted political assassination attempts. Could stricter gun laws make a difference? Many advocate for an assault weapons ban, with some even framing it as a way to protect political leaders themselves. If we want to reduce threats against not just prominent figures but the general public, banning these high-powered weapons seems like a logical first step.
Yes, people are the ones pulling the trigger, but making it harder to get their hands on military-grade tools of destruction could stop a lot of the violence we’re seeing. It’s not about partisanship—it’s about basic safety.
The Cycle of Blame
In the aftermath of recent events, Trump has pointed fingers at his political opponents. He’s made claims that they are somehow responsible for instigating the violence against him—accusations immediately dismissed by them. The reality is simpler: the longer both sides spend blaming each other, the less time we have to focus on the problem.
Political violence is reflexively tied to the climate of desperation painted by politicians and commentators—from both sides. Both Trump and Biden have, in different ways, suggested that their respective opponents pose an existential threat to the nation. These kinds of statements, whether intentional or not, radicalize people. The enemies in this rhetoric aren’t just political rivals anymore—they’re demonized almost as if they’re threats to survival. This makes it much easier for extremists to justify violence.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Turn Down the Heat
The political climate is too hot, and it’s reaching a boiling point where assassination attempts aren’t just shocking—they’re expected. The United States has a long history of political disagreements, but the current era feels particularly volatile. With both sides unwilling to step back from divisive narratives, the tension will keep growing.
Leaders, commentators, and the public: we all need to turn down the volume. The country’s future doesn’t depend on one man, one election, or one party. We’ve been around for centuries, and scaring people with the idea that they are about to lose everything isn’t solving any problems. It’s just fueling the fire.
Let’s not wait for another assassination attempt before we have serious conversations about rhetoric, gun violence, and the true cost of our words. Lives depend on it.
