Patty Satalia

State College

Donald Trump, the master manipulator, attempts to use last Saturday’s tragic shooting to silence the most persuasive and cogent argument against his reelection: he IS an existential threat to Democracy and unfit for office.

Republicans would have us believe, without evidence, that the deeply troubled 20-year-old shooter — a registered Republican, described by former classmates as “definitely conservative”–was inspired to kill Trump because of President Biden’s “dangerous rhetoric.”

Biden refers to Trump as an authoritarian threat to democracy–aptly describing Trump’s actions and words since entering politics eight long years ago. Biden condemns political violence and urges Americans to defeat Trump at the ballot box.

Trump and MAGA Republicans normalize talk of political violence, putting targets on the backs of those who dare criticize him, and openly advocate violence in speeches, podcasts and social media.

MAGA Republicans glorify guns, especially the AR-15 (used by the shooter), the GOP weapon of choice in bizarre campaign ads. They call for “revolution” and “civil war,” lionize Kyle Rittenhouse, who killed two unarmed people and make a martyr of Ashli Babbit, a J6 rioter.

The MAGA cult leader himself approved chants of “Hang Mike Pence,” called jailed Confederate flag-waving J6-rioters political prisoners, and mocked the hammer attack that nearly killed Paul Pelosi.

Despite recent calls for unity, Republicans continue their violent rhetoric. One Convention speaker asserted the country will become “unhinged” if Trump isn’t elected.

No! No matter how Trump and his acolytes (and a too-often gullible media) spin it, we’re not buying it!