During a recent interview, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., delved into the impact of rhetoric surrounding former President Trump, particularly labeling him as 'dangerous.' The discussion arose in light of Trump's claims that extreme rhetoric from President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris may have incited two assassination attempts against him.
Rubio pointed to the case of Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the second alleged assassination attempt on Trump, suggesting that Routh was 'clearly' influenced by rhetoric emanating from Democrats. Rubio highlighted the dangers of repeatedly likening someone to historical tyrants like Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini, as well as portraying them as a potential American dictator.
He expressed concern that such portrayals could lead some individuals to view the targeted individual as truly evil and a threat to the nation's governance. Rubio warned that while most people may simply choose to vote against such a figure, there exists a segment of the population that may interpret the rhetoric as a call to take drastic action to prevent the perceived threat.
According to Rubio, the portrayal of Trump in a manner reminiscent of notorious dictators could potentially push certain individuals over the edge, leading them to believe that eliminating the individual in question is necessary to safeguard the country's democratic system.
The senator's remarks shed light on the broader implications of using extreme rhetoric in political discourse and the potential consequences it may have on public perception and individual actions. Rubio's observations underscore the importance of responsible communication in the political arena to prevent the escalation of tensions and the incitement of violence.
