As CNN covered the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Saturday, CNN contributor Scott Jennings told colleagues that the media and Democrats’ exaggeration about the possibility of Trump winning a second term as president has consequences.
“Think about what I just said. Tonight, we are one step away from something much worse,” Jennings said. “I mean, this country is already in shock, this country desperately needs healing and unity, but we were one step away from something much worse. Republicans listening tonight are in shock. They’re worried about our country. They’re worried about Donald Trump. They’re worried about the rhetoric surrounding Donald Trump. I hate to say it, but there’s been a lot of rhetoric over the last few weeks that if Trump wins the election, our country is over, our democracy is over, this will be the last election. These things have consequences, OK?”
“I don’t know the attacker’s motive,” he continued. “I don’t know the details, but I know the rhetoric around Trump has become extreme. You mentioned other violence. You didn’t mention the attempted assassination of a Supreme Court Justice or the congressional baseball game where Rep. Steve Scalise was nearly killed (by a conservative and a Republican). But there are people in this country dedicated to telling half the population that if Donald Trump wins the election, the country is over, there will be no Constitution, etc. What I want to hear from all elected officials is that there are consequences to this kind of bombastic extremism, and it must end. Certainly we are all shocked. And certainly political violence should not exist. Where does it come from? It must stop.”
(h/t RCP Video)
Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor
