"If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously, OK? Just knock the hell ... I promise you I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise" (Trump on Feb. 1, 2016.)
At a Vegas rally he told security guards they were too gentle with a protester. "He's walking out with big high-fives, smiling, laughing," Trump said. "I'd like to punch him in the face, I'll tell you."
"Get him out," he said of a protester. "Try not to hurt him. If you do, I'll defend you in court. Don't worry about it." (Warren Michigan)
(Later Trump said he never claimed he'd pay the legal fees for the guy that followed Trump's advice and sucker-punched a protester, but he did speak with him in court and give him a hug)
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The way I see it Trump ushered in this wave of violence by constantly antagonizing and bullying his cabinet members, intelligence agencies, celebrities that call him out, ex-associates and employees, Black atheletes, reporters, foreign heads of state.
In Art of The Deal he admits to being physically violent growing up and loving it.
He's raised roadrage-mentality to a new level. Before this hothead we had the same disagreements and frustrations, but now we have licence to resort to violence. By our president.
Disclaimer: I'm not saying violence didn't exist before this dirt bag. Relax!
But this (along with a plethora of other things we're witnessing, thanks Don) is JUST NOT NORMAL. I know his base loves it, violence especially, but they make up less than 30% of the electorate, from what I'm reading. So there's that.