Backlash Against Hillary for Telling Journalists to Maintain ‘Dangerous’ Trump Narrative

Hillary Clinton is facing intense backlash after calling on journalists to maintain a “consistent narrative” labeling former President Donald Trump as a “danger.” Her remarks came just days after authorities arrested a man attempting to assassinate Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course. The suspect, Ryan Routh, a Democrat donor with a criminal record, was armed with an AK-17 and spent 12 hours hidden on the property before his arrest.

In a conversation with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Clinton expressed frustration with the media for not continuously portraying Trump as a threat. “I don’t understand why it’s so difficult for the press to have a consistent narrative about how dangerous Trump is,” she lamented, referencing a comment by journalist Terry Evans, who said that reporters should “cover the object,” implying that Trump’s so-called “demagoguery” should be the media’s focus.

Clinton’s comments drew swift condemnation from Trump supporters, who accused her of fanning the flames of violence. Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt took to X, demanding that the media ask Vice President Kamala Harris if she would denounce Clinton’s “violent rhetoric.” Leavitt pointed out that Clinton’s statements came less than 48 hours after Trump survived his second assassination attempt this year, adding that rhetoric like Clinton’s could incite future violence.

Trump adviser Tim Murtaugh called Clinton’s behavior “evil,” accusing her of trying to provoke further attacks. Stephen Miller, another senior Trump adviser, labeled her comments as “dangerous, reckless, vile, demented, and unhinged.”

Clinton’s remarks were also criticized by experts outside of the political arena. Max Abrahms, an international security professor, referred to her comments as “stochastic terrorism,” a term used to describe how public figures can inspire violence through incendiary rhetoric. He also pointed out Clinton’s role in promoting the Russia collusion hoax, which he argued caused significant damage to America’s institutions.

Even Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), weighed in, calling Clinton’s comments “troubling,” reflecting concerns shared by many about the increasing use of heated rhetoric in the media and political discourse.

This isn’t the first time Clinton has come under fire for her inflammatory remarks about Trump, but her timing so soon after an attempted assassination has drawn particular outrage. For many, it seems her insistence on pushing a “dangerous” narrative about Trump ignores the very real threats he continues to face. The Trump campaign has consistently condemned the rhetoric coming from figures like Clinton, warning that it contributes to a hostile environment where violent extremists feel emboldened.

As the 2024 election looms, the intensity of this kind of political discourse is likely to escalate, raising concerns about how such rhetoric impacts national security and the political landscape.

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