Our language matters. Our words matter.
When Trump says that we should be shooting at Liz Cheney, that’s not “violent rhetoric”. That’s a threat – a death threat.
And that’s illegal in any state or jurisdiction.
I’m watching the most anti-Trump of mainstream networks and, without exception, they are sane-washing Trump’s threats as “violent rhetoric”. Even Harris is shying away from the word “threat”.
But there is no question about it. He threatened Cheney.
Imagine if Harris had said the same words, and had called for shooting at one of Trump’s fans – Musk, perhaps, or even Carlson. Would we dismiss it as “rhetoric”? As political talk?
No.
Imagine if you had said exactly the same words, substituting any real person’s name for Liz Cheney. Not a famous person, just an everyday person working an everyday job. Would someone overhear that and make a phone call to the police, giving your name and description? Yeah, and you would be questioned, charged, arrested, arraigned, fingerprinted, and photographed.
It’s not rhetoric. It’s a threat. A dangerous threat. And Trump should be questioned, charged, arrested, arraigned, fingerprinted, and photographed.
Words matter. Threats are threats.
