Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) strongly refuted claims over the weekend that the Democratic Party’s rhetoric has contributed to assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump. In an interview on NBC’s “Meet The Press” with Kristen Welker, Fetterman rejected statements from Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), which suggested that Democrats’ portrayal of Trump as a threat to democracy has led to recent violent incidents.
During the interview, Welker pointed out that Trump had been the target of two serious assassination attempts in recent months. The latest incident involved a Democratic donor who was found hiding on one of Trump’s golf courses, armed with a rifle. Welker referenced Vance’s remarks, in which he claimed that these violent attempts were being driven by inflammatory rhetoric from the left, particularly its portrayal of Trump as a danger to the United States and the world.
Vance had said, “The big difference between conservatives and liberals is that no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months, but two people have now tried to kill Donald Trump. That’s pretty strong evidence that the left needs to tone down its rhetoric. Someone’s going to get hurt.”
Fetterman, visibly unimpressed, dismissed Vance’s argument, mocking both the Ohio senator and the idea that Democratic rhetoric was responsible for the violent threats. “Who’s actually paying attention to what Vance says anymore? He’s been making these kinds of comments for months, and people have stopped listening,” Fetterman said, adding, “He’s gained a reputation for making outlandish and pointless statements that seem designed just to offend. No one’s taking him seriously. I certainly don’t.”
Welker pressed Fetterman further, asking him to directly address the concerns that inflammatory political rhetoric—on either side—could lead to violence. Fetterman, however, stood firm in his dismissal. “It’s absolutely absurd to say that Democratic rhetoric is responsible for assassination attempts on Trump,” he said. “Every Democrat, including myself, has condemned these acts of violence. To suggest otherwise is just nonsense. And we should be having a serious conversation about this election, not getting bogged down by JD Vance’s empty and inflammatory remarks.”
Interestingly, Fetterman then turned the conversation toward an unrelated comment made by Vice President Kamala Harris, in which she jokingly said she would shoot someone if they broke into her home. Though her campaign later clarified it was a joke, Fetterman noted the comment in passing, seemingly as an attempt to highlight the absurdity of focusing on offhand remarks rather than substantive political issues.
Fetterman’s comments come at a time of heightened political tension, with both parties accusing the other of fostering an environment that promotes division and violence. While Vance’s assertion that Democrats are inciting violence against Trump has sparked debate, Fetterman and many other Democrats have been quick to reject the idea that their rhetoric is to blame. However, as the 2024 election looms, the conversation surrounding political violence and the role of divisive language is unlikely to fade from public discourse anytime soon.