In a troubling incident at a recent Donald Trump rally, a man attempted to physically attack members of the press just minutes after the former president labeled journalists as the “enemy of the people.” The man, whose identity has not been released, stormed the media section, attempting to climb the barricades before being tasered and subdued by law enforcement officers. The episode, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has sparked renewed concerns about the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric aimed at the press.
The incident occurred shortly after Trump, during his speech, criticized various media outlets, including The New York Times and CNN. “They truly are the enemy of the people. They tell false stories about me—that’s all they do is they write false stories,” Trump declared, drawing cheers from the crowd. Moments later, the man made his move toward the media enclosure, apparently fueled by the fiery rhetoric from the stage.
The New Yorker sets it up:
Less than ten minutes before, the former president called journalists the “enemy of the people.”
Trump claimed that the New York Times is losing “reader after reader,” which brings him joy. “I have to be happy about that,” the Republican presidential nominee began, “because they truly are the enemy of the people. They are the enemy of the people. They tell false stories about me—that’s all they do is they write false stories.”
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This isn’t the first time Trump’s words have seemingly incited hostility toward journalists. Throughout his political career, Trump has repeatedly attacked the media, branding critical outlets as “fake news” and accusing them of being biased against him. His language has often been combative, with phrases like “enemy of the people” becoming a common refrain at his rallies. These words have contributed to an environment where journalists are increasingly viewed with suspicion and hostility by segments of the public.
Video of the incident. Security in the press pen grabbed him first before he was taken down by law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/Xdw1CZ9dE0
— Taurean Small (@taureansmall) August 30, 2024
Historical references underscore the consistency of Trump’s attacks on the press. In 2015, during his first presidential campaign, Trump infamously joked about not killing journalists after mentioning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s harsh treatment of the media. “By the way, I hate some of these people, but I’d never kill them. I hate ’em. No, I think, these people, honestly, I’ll be honest, I’ll be honest, I would never kill them,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from his audience. The remark was widely criticized as dangerously flippant, given the deadly realities faced by journalists in authoritarian regimes.
Trump’s adversarial relationship with the media continued throughout his presidency. He repeatedly labeled specific networks and journalists as “fake news” and accused them of conspiring against him. This relentless assault on the press has been linked to a rise in threats and violence against journalists, with several high-profile incidents occurring during his presidency.
For example, at a 2018 rally in Montana, Trump praised a Republican congressman who had body-slammed a reporter the year before. “Any guy that can do a body-slam, he’s my kind of guy,” Trump said, again to the cheers of his supporters. This kind of rhetoric has normalized aggression towards journalists and created a permissive atmosphere for those who might seek to act on their grievances against the press.
The dangers of this rhetoric extend beyond the United States. Globally, the climate of disinformation and hostility toward the media has eroded public trust in journalism, creating an increasingly perilous environment for reporters. Journalists now face heightened risks, both online and in person, as public figures use their influence to undermine and discredit the press, making this one of the most challenging periods for press freedom in recent history.
Friday’s incident at the Trump rally is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of such rhetoric. As the man was led away by law enforcement, Trump appeared to acknowledge the commotion, smiling and commenting, “We get a little itchy, David, don’t we?” It remains unclear whether Trump fully understood the nature of the situation at that moment, but his response did little to de-escalate the tension.
In the broader context, this event highlights the ongoing struggle between a free press and those who seek to undermine it. The role of the media in a democracy is to hold power to account, a function that is increasingly under threat in an era of “fake news” accusations and widespread disinformation. As attacks on the press continue to rise, both verbally and physically, the need for a robust defense of journalistic integrity and freedom becomes ever more critical.
The question now is how far this rhetoric will go and what consequences it will have for the future of press freedom in the United States. Will it lead to more violence against journalists, or will there be a reckoning that prompts a return to civility and respect for the essential role that the press plays in a democracy? The answers may depend on the actions of leaders and the willingness of the public to stand up for the principles that underpin a free society.
Featured image via screengrab
