We Need To Take Trump’s Rhetoric Seriously, But Not Literally vs. Have That Guy Killed

By Daniel Edelwright

POINT

We Need To Take Trump's Rhetoric Seriously, But Not Literally

Almost every day, the establishment seems to get it wrong trying to use Donald Trump's words to paint him as a dire threat to our democracy. What so many fail to see-and what his supporters have long understood-is that Trump is a showman. When he speaks at rallies, he's not telling us about his literal policy positions. More often than not, he's just trying to entertain.

Without accepting that simple fact, mainstream reporters and politicians will always risk looking hopelessly out of touch.

For instance, when Trump says he's going to be a dictator on day one of his term, what he's really doing is trying to trigger the left, pure and simple. When he tells a Fox News interviewer that he'll use the National Guard to persecute political opponents like Nancy Pelosi, he wants Democrats to throw a fit. Liberals who work themselves into a tizzy over it are just making his point for him.

There is still an incredible amount of pearl-clutching over how anyone could vote for Trump after everything he's said: How can so many still support a man who has called for shooting peaceful protesters in the legs? Don't these people realize the ugly history he invokes when he threatens to deport millions of immigrants for poisoning the blood of our country"? Can our precious democracy even survive a second Trump term?

Let's get real. Trump is a skillful politician who knows how to manipulate the media environment through shock and awe.

Of course, what a president says matters. But what Trump is telling us is largely symbolic. You would think that nearly a decade into the former president's political career, journalists would have learned that lesson.

By Donald Trump

COUNTERPOINT

Have That Guy Killed

All right, hello. That guy? The one making the points about me? Have him killed. Dead. I want that very much. I'm serious about this: I want you to go to wherever he lives, as soon as possible, and put a bullet in his brain.

I think he mentioned the National Guard? It's worth seeing whether we could get some of them to round up that son of a bitch and blow his brains out against the wall in front of his wife. What was this guy's name again? Dan? Daniel? Find his address. There needs to be retribution.

Someone is saying he's at 559 N. Wheelock Street in D.C. Great. Go to his house at night, smash the windows with a brick, and drag him out on the lawn. Knock the hell out of him while his scared kids watch. Make him scream. Cave in his skull. I really mean it. I want his head on a fucking pike.

If you do this, don't worry. I'll pardon you. Anyone who does this is a terrific patriot. People like him-they're sick, they're evil. Many are Marxists or fascists. When I talk about enemies from within? That's this guy. He needs to be put down like a sick dog.

Right now. Go. Do it. Put him down.

He said something about shooting protesters in the legs. That's great. We should do that to him. Someone could blow off both of his kneecaps when he's out buying groceries or something. He should know that could happen to him whenever. I want him scared to go outside. I know plenty of my supporters are listening. They can do this for me.

And anyone who stands up for him? Journalists or left-wing lunatics? We can kill them, too. Burn down their houses, slit their kids' throats. Whatever. You understand me. If you go after me, I am coming after you.

I want this done as soon as possible. Okay? Thank you.

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