2 weeks Ago
PHOENIX — Less than a week before Election Day, former President Donald Trump stopped by a Glendale arena where he called the sitting president a “stupid bastard” and mused about a hypothetical scenario in which a former congresswoman gets shot in the face. Trump didn’t stop there, calling Vice President Kamala Harris “dumb as a rock”, former U.N.
Ambassador John Bolton “a nut job,” liberals “sickos,” immigrants “animals,” journalists “the real enemy of the people,” (or as Trump clarified, “at least 91% of them”), Congressman Adam Schiff “a watermelon head”, and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi “very stupid.” Even Ronald Reagan was not safe. Trump subtly lamented that "The Gipper" just simply did not have the star power Trump does because he drew only hundreds of people to his rallies in his day, whereas Trump draws “tens of thousands.
” Many attendees appreciated the spectacle. “To me, Trump is like a real old-school American, right to the point,” said Richard, who declined to provide his last name. “Like my grandma used to say, the truth hurts for a reason.
” For ASU historian John Carlson, who has made it a career to research the 45th president in the context of American history, nothing about this is amusing. “We could lose our democracy,” Carlson said. A fundamental 'un-American approach' As director at ASU’s Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, Carlson launched an initiative nearly three years ago to promote truth in democracy in the “post-truth era.
” He quotes phrases from past presidents like George W. Bush who said at his first inaugural address, “America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle.” That principle includes respecting civic practices and codes, supporting democracies around the world, and treating the election process as sacred.
Regarding elections, on Thursday Trump continued baseless claims about “cheaters” and once again said the only way he will lose the election next week is if it is rigged. He also referenced a recent ballot registration fraud case in Pennsylvania, alleging there is evidence of “bad votes.” The case is not related to votes, but registration forms.
Election officials said they caught the attempted fraudulent registrations and say there are no signs of broader issues. As Carlson notes, Trump’s rhetoric about elections is not “normal campaign behavior.” “This is a fundamentally un-American approach,” he said.
Cheney attack is latest example of “authoritarian behavior” Trump also made national news in Glendale after he mused about the prospect of former Congresswoman Liz Cheney being shot in the face. Trump criticized Cheney’s support of past wars and suggested she should know what it’s like to be shot. “Let’s put her with the rifles standing there with nine barrels shooting at her.
Let’s see how she feels about it when the guns are trained at her face,” Trump said. “You know they are all war hawks when they are sitting in Washington in a nice building and say, ‘Oh gee let’s send ten thousand troops right into the mouth of the enemy.” Cheney Tweeted early Friday morning that the comment was a sign of a candidate who wants revenge against political enemies.
“This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death,” Cheney wrote. Carlson called the comment “atrocious” and said Trump’s penchant for using demeaning and dehumanizing language about individuals and groups of people is indicative of authoritarian behavior.
“When you stigmatize people, or you categorize regular civilians as part of a deep state or the enemy within, that is just un-American,” Carlson said. Trump repeats 'enemies within' talking point Trump also repeated his declaration there are “enemies within” the country who are more dangerous than even international foes. He said last month he would consider using military force against these perceived enemies, who he has described as “radical left lunatics” and “sick puppies.
” On Thursday, Trump downplayed the seriousness of that phrase and accused the media of inflating the story. He then repeated the same phrase and said there are “sickos” who want to cheat in the election. According to Carlson, designating “enemies” inside or outside the country along racial, religious and ideological lines is another hallmark of authoritarians.
Further, taking military action against Americans perceived as enemies is an appalling proposition, said Carlson, who served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years and received the prestigious Legion of Merit medal.
“We have basic civil codes in the United States that govern how our system works. People in the military are not meant to take action against fellow Americans. It’s a very, very serious charge.
” Trump supporters don’t see a threat Trump supporters attending Thursday’s event told 12News it’s the Biden administration they view as having an “authoritarian regime.” “There’s no transparency, there’s two standards for the justice system,” said Tina, who asked not to publicize her last name. “He would transform it (government) back to what we always loved and trusted.
Not to anything we’ve never seen before.” She accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the Justice Department to target Trump. Another attendee, Paul, said speculation Trump would transform the government into an autocracy or become a strongman leader the second time around is fabricated.
“Nobody wants a dictatorship. That’s just what the media harps about. Oh, we’re all going to prison camps! I don’t think so,” Paul said.
Another attendee, Richard, said he trusts that staff members around Trump would act as checks and balances. Carlson says Americans shouldn’t make that assumption. “I don’t think you can’t assume that, and I don’t think we should have assumed it before.
But it is a testament to those who he appointed (during his administration) who said, ‘you can’t do this’,” Carlson said. 'The most dangerous person to this country' Concerns about Trump’s disregard for democratic norms have prompted many of Trump’s former aides to speak out. Last month, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, labeled Trump as “fascist to the core” and “the most dangerous person to this country.
” On Thursday, Trump made references to military leaders critical of him. Trump referred to them as “RINOs” and “stupid.” Trump has been harshly critical of hawkish politicians and by extension has blamed military leaders who led campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Carlson says voters should take seriously the first-hand accounts of military leaders about Trump’s actions and requests. Carlson also worries about the meaning of Trump’s alleged disrespectful attitude towards wounded veterans. Former Chief of Staff John Kelly alleged Trump referred to service members killed in war as “suckers and losers.
” General Mark Milley said Trump’s attitude toward service members was “superficial, callous, and, at the deepest human level, repugnant". “Then there are just basic sensibilities of having deep regard for veterans, even if they are disfigured and if they’ve served in combat. You don’t run away from them.
You don’t say get them out of the picture,” Carlson said. Decision 2024 Track all of our current updates with the upcoming elections in Arizona on our 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe for updates on all of our new uploads.
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