The 'Perpetual Grievance Machine'
The 'Perpetual Grievance Machine'
Matt Bernardini examines how the Republicans' use of grievance politics is stoking anti-immigrant hatred
Following another “assassination attempt” on Donald Trump, the Republican outrage machine is back in full swing again, arguing that these attacks are the result of some Democrats rightly calling the Republican candidate a threat to democracy.
Of course they neglect to mention that both of the would-be assassins appeared to be Trump supporters.
The first one was known as a Republican according to his schoolmates, and the most recent man, Ryan Routh, actually voted for Trump in 2016. And given his subsequent remarks about becoming disappointed by Trump, then becoming a Tulsi Gabbard and Vivek Ramaswamy supporter, it’s safe to say his politics were incoherent at best. Also when one looks at his fanatical statements that he would help Ukraine win its war against Russia, along with his prior criminal history it’s safe to say he wasn’t mentally well.
Yet this hasn’t stopped the Trump movement from loudly proclaiming that this was a result of the criticism levied by Democrats against their political opponent. This narrative has even managed to seep into the mainstream media, with the Washington Post running a column titled “Should Democrats tone down their rhetoric on Trump?” Of course the Koch-loving columnist Megan McArdle comes to the conclusion that the Democrats are at fault.
“I’m not arguing that Democrats shouldn’t say ‘Trump is bad’,” McArdle said. “But the hyperbolic rhetoric where the dark night of fascism is about to fall is not helpful to our politics.”
Of course deflecting responsibility from their extreme rhetoric is the specialty of Republicans. But this latest round illustrates a key motivator behind the right.
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