In the wake of Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, the world is witnessing a frightening and dangerous escalation of rhetoric from his supporters. These aren’t just political disagreements; these are calls for riots, revolution, and violent retribution. It’s time to recognize Trump’s followers for what they are: a cult, driven by blind loyalty and capable of extreme actions.
Trump’s supporters, enraged by his historic conviction, have flooded pro-Trump websites with calls for violence. According to a Reuters review of comments on platforms like Truth Social, Patriots.Win, and Gateway Pundit, the response is nothing short of terrifying. Some are calling for attacks on jurors, the execution of Judge Juan Merchan, and even outright civil war. This is the toxic byproduct of Trump’s relentless, baseless claims of a rigged system and corrupt judges.
One particularly chilling comment on Patriots.Win read, “Someone in NY with nothing to lose needs to take care of Merchan,” suggesting violence against the judge. Another post on Gateway Pundit called for shooting liberals, with the poster stating, “Time to start capping some leftys. This cannot be fixed by voting.” This rhetoric isn’t just dangerous; it’s a direct threat to the rule of law and the safety of individuals upholding justice.
Trump, of course, hasn’t helped matters. Instead of accepting the verdict and urging calm, he’s fanned the flames. He labeled Judge Merchan as “HIGHLY CONFLICTED” and criticized the jury instructions on his Truth Social platform. His inflammatory language is a rallying cry for his most extreme followers, further entrenching their belief that the system is rigged against him and, by extension, them.
This cult-like devotion is a clear and present danger. The posts reviewed by Reuters show a disturbing trend of escalating threats and calls for insurrection. One commentator on Patriots.Win suggested, “1,000,000 men (armed) need to go to Washington and hang everyone. That’s the only solution.” Another added, “Trump should already know he has an army willing to fight and die for him if he says the words… I’ll take up arms if he asks.” This is not just idle talk; it’s the kind of rhetoric that precedes real-world violence.
Experts warn that Trump’s conviction could be the catalyst for violence among his most fervent supporters. Jacob Ware, a co-author of “God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America,” highlighted Trump’s “ironclad ability to mobilize more extreme supporters to action, both at the ballot box and through violence.” Amy Cooter from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies’ Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism echoed these concerns, saying, “I would not be shocked to see violence result from a guilty verdict, either directed toward the jurors or others connected to the case.”
It’s clear that Trump’s cult of personality has metastasized into something far more dangerous than typical political support. These individuals are not just fans or voters; they are willing to resort to violence to defend their leader. This level of fanaticism is a threat to the very foundation of our democracy.
The solution? First, we must unequivocally state that a convicted individual should not be able to run for President. Allowing someone with a criminal record to hold the highest office in the land is a travesty. Second, anyone convicted of serious crimes should be barred from receiving classified intelligence briefings. The risk to national security is too great to ignore.
Finally, we must recognize and confront the dangerous cult mentality that has taken root among Trump’s followers. This isn’t about silencing dissent; it’s about protecting our democracy from those who would tear it apart in blind allegiance to a disgraced leader.
The time for complacency is over. We must take a stand against this growing threat and ensure that our democracy remains strong and unyielding in the face of extremism. The future of our nation depends on it.
source: Trump supporters call for riots and violent retribution after verdict
