How Trump created the MAGABomber

[Foxaèr]

Make no mistake, President Trump is responsible for the MAGABomber. Not directly like he told him to do it. But still fully responsible. I write that knowing that doing so increases the chances that the next Trumpian stirred-up by the president’s unprecedented incendiary rhetoric who happens upon my writing might try to hurt me. And I know that because that’s just how the psychology of hate works.

President Trump has, intentionally or not, hit a trifecta of hate that foments terrorism, in this case domestic terrorism. At rallies and speeches his incendiary eloquence identifies opponents as enemies then motivates hatred and sanctions violence against them. Facts no longer matter. Nor do values shared with those he sees as horrible, terrible people. What matters is that it’s us versus them. And we can’t let them win. Never apologize, never back down.

The trifecta is important, central in fact. One or two components and a leader would not be responsible for the violent acts of their supporters. Not all populists incite terrorism. So, when right wing apologists start defending President Trump, as they will, by pointing to sharply critical things people like Maxine Waters or Bernie Sanders may have said they will be missing the point. And if they’ve read this piece they will be willfully trying to deceive. The psychology of hate shows you need Trump’s trifecta to be responsible. So let’s look closer.

Read more:

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For a leader to be responsible for the terrorism he incites they first have to identify opponents and critics as an enemy, an other. They are not just reasonable adversaries, a loyal opposition. They are a hostile enemy. And President Trump amply checks this box. Whether it’s the fact-based press, oppressed people of color, “globalists” (usually an anti-semitic code word), Hilary or Democrats in general, Trump brands critics and opponents as an enemy other, not “one of us.”

Second is taking these outsiders and making them objects of hatred, people against whom rage should be directed. It’s not enough to scorn, ridicule or shame them. They deserve your rage. And first as a candidate and now as president, Trump has shown a remarkable talent for making people feel good about hating others. (I previously wrote Third is where most enlightened leaders stop: sanctioning violence. After creating a sense of belonging to a special group by emotionally positioning himself as an object of identification—be like me if you also want to be a rich pussy-grabber who only wins and never loses—Trump then takes the next step to license violence. In one infamous example he fully supported a rageful supporter sucker-punching a protester. An early version as president was his tepid response to Heather Heyer’s murder by a supporter in Charlottesville in 2017. Just a few days ago was a rally where he endorsed a congressman who had attacked a reporter saying “Any guy who can do a body slam … he’s my guy.”

Like in the myth of Pandora who released evil out in the world, the fires of hate are hard to extinguish. A popular sign at the women’s march the day after Trump’s inauguration was “Love Trumps Hate.” But, tragically, it doesn’t. Like an abusive spouse or parent who seasons expressions of love with outbursts of violence, expressions of hate poisons the air rending impotent and false attempts at unity or comity. Political dirty trickster Roger Stone actually had it right in Stone’s Rules: How to Win at Politics, Business, and Style with his Rule #54: “Hate Is A Stronger Motivator Than Love.” To unify the country, President Trump has got to take responsibility, has got to grab hold of the hate he has unleashed and bring it under control.

By leading with this trifecta of hate, President Trump is responsible for the pipe bombs sent by a supporter. Yes, early reports clearly show the MAGABomber was vulnerable to these messages of hate. But if someone throws a lit match into a vat of gasoline, they should not be surprised at the resulting fire. And they should be held responsible

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddessig/2...67cffd1046

[Fake Messiah]

Osama Bin Laden didn't fly planes into the World Trade Center himself. He got his followers worked into a frenzy and they did it for him.

[Minimalist]

The Orange Turdfuhrer opened Pandora's Box.  He has told the large, bigoted, ignorant, mob that he is with them.

[Fake Messiah]

Trump declared himself a nationalist and Neo-Nazis celebrated across America. This is reality. WORDS MATTER. Trump and his vile accomplices in the billion dollar propaganda industry, abetted by the silence of complicit political cowards in the GOP have lit a match.

[Whateverist]

I have no doubt but that he is not at all bothered by incidental violence. If any had succeeded I imagine he'd have been at least a little happy privately.

[Angrboda]

All that Hitler did was use words, give speeches, and hold rallies. How can we hold him responsible for the death of Jews?

[Aegon]

All that Hitler did was use words, give speeches, and hold rallies. How can we hold him responsible for the death of Jews?

Even though I agree with the OP, isnt that a bit of a disingenuous comparison? Since it was government policy to exterminate the Jews?