As RedState has documented, the mainstream media has been in full spin mode in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. A notable example of this is the way some outlets have excused incendiary rhetoric used by Democrats, including a recent comment made by President Joe Biden.
According to POLITICO, Biden was on a call with donors last Monday, aiming to reassure them of his ability to defeat Trump, the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee. During this call, Biden said, “I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to [beat Donald Trump]. So, we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”
NBC: “Have you taken a step back and done a little soul searching on things that you may have said that could incite people who are not balanced?”
BIDEN (LYING): “I have not engaged in that rhetoric.” pic.twitter.com/sdEtYvKIW2
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 15, 2024
This remark has drawn comparisons to the 2011 assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), when Democrats and the media falsely blamed Sarah Palin for her use of a “target list” graphic featuring crosshairs over Congressional districts, including Giffords’. At that time, some media outlets even apologized for using the term “crosshairs,” despite it being unrelated to the shooter’s motivations.
NBC: You called President Trump “an existential threat” and said it’s time to put him “in the bullseye.”
BIDEN: “I didn’t say ‘crosshairs.'” pic.twitter.com/RKeKVxULJ9
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 15, 2024
Fast forward to today, and Biden finds himself under scrutiny for his heated rhetoric against Trump. In an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt, Biden was asked if he had considered that his own rhetoric might contribute to violence against elected officials and candidates. Biden responded by downplaying his remarks and redirecting the blame to Trump:
“How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when the president says things like he says? Do you just not say something because it may incite somebody?” Biden asked rhetorically. He then claimed, “I have not engaged in that rhetoric. My opponent has engaged in that rhetoric.”
And an attempted assassination against Brett Kavanaugh
— John Hasson (@SonofHas) July 13, 2024
Biden’s comments left out the context of Trump’s remarks about a “bloodbath,” which were actually about the hypothetical state of the economy if Biden wins reelection. Holt pointed out that Biden had indeed used heated rhetoric, including his recent “bullseye” comment. Biden responded by differentiating between “bullseye” and “crosshairs,” a distinction that many see as grasping at straws.
Fact check: Democrats are the ones calling for violence or physical confrontations❗️❗️ pic.twitter.com/RVetbNlbWY
— ͏͏͏𝐉𝐚𝐲 2.0 (@JayMaga47) September 3, 2022
The media’s reaction to Biden’s rhetoric contrasts sharply with their past responses to similar situations involving Republicans. For instance, when Sarah Palin was falsely accused of inciting violence against Giffords, the media were quick to condemn her use of imagery and language. Now, despite Biden’s remarks potentially inciting violence, the media appears less critical.
