Trump\'s attacks on media have real-life consequencesmned fro

As soon as the mail bomb arrives, the debate begins: What role does violent political rhetoric play in these real-life acts of violence?

Truth be told, one version of this debate has been raging for some time. Witness President Trump's recent reaction to praising a Congressman for punching a reporter.

But after threats were made against CNN's New York office and several prominent Democratic politicians on Wednesday, the debate is now back on. The intended recipients all have something in common: they have often been the target of right-wing criticism.

Or as the Washington Post succinctly put it: "Amid incendiary rhetoric, Trump's words have become bomb targets."

At a rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday night, Trump equated his remarks condemning political violence with new criticism of the media.

"The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and stop the endless hostility and constant negative and often false attacks and coverage." It has to be done, "he said.

Veteran political analyst David Gergen said in an interview with CNN that Trump "has not taken any responsibility or accountability for his comments."

"The day Trump announced he was running for president, he unleashed the dogs of hate in this country, and they've been growling and barking at each other ever since," Gergen said. . "Inevitably, there will be violence."

News executives have repeatedly warned that Trump's reckless attacks on the media are having real-world consequences. For example, some reporters now travel to Trump rallies with security personnel.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker addressed the issue.

"The White House is completely out of touch with the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," he said. "The president, and especially the White House press secretary, should understand what they're saying. So far, they haven't shown any understanding."

Press advocacy groups support this view. Dan Shelley, head of the Radio and Television Digital Press Association, pointed out the irony in Trump's recent statement.

On Wednesday, Trump said in an emailed response that "threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America."

But, Shelley said, "these are the same words from the same person who used harsh words against journalists and political opponents at campaign rallies in an extremely tense and divisive political environment."

Shelley repeated a phrase he used recently: "Don't give in to intimidation and fear," he told other reporters. "Watch your back, but don't fall backwards."

As reports of suspicious packages mounted on Wednesday, many commentators and political observers urged caution and lamented the rush to judgment by many others.

Partisans on the left and right taunted each other, especially on social media, where the hashtag # magaborter was the top trending topic on Twitter in the United States. hashtag asserts that the perpetrators support Trump's "MAGA," or making America great again.

Some prominent Trump supporters and far-right online figures hit back, saying there was no evidence the bombs were sent by a Democratic operative as part of a so-called "false flag" operation. The term refers to crimes committed by one party that are disguised to give the impression that the other party committed the crime.

rush Limbaugh, the conservative talk radio host who reaches millions of listeners every week, said on his show Wednesday that "it doesn't make any sense for Republicans or conservatives to do this."

"But flip it! Flip it over. Does it make sense for a Democratic operative or a Democratic-indoctrinated lunatic to do this? Limbaugh asked, suggesting to his audience that it was because he thought Democrats were worried they would give ground in the upcoming midterm elections.

Bestselling conservative author Ann Coulter wrote on Twitter that "bombs are a liberal tactic."

Candace Owens, communications director for Turning Point America, a conservative group with close ties to the Trump family, wrote in a now-deleted tweet that "the only 'suspicious' thing about these packages is their timing."

Owens added: "Caravans, fake bomb threats - these leftists are going all out for midterms." .

Incendiary comments about the bomb were not limited to Limbaugh, Coulter and Owens. Rather, the spread of conspiracy theories is a common theme among individuals on the fringes of power.

Many commentators on cable news condemned the "false flag" claim.

Many news organizations rallied behind CNN.

On Fox News, "Special Report" host Bret Baier ended his hour by saying, "Days like today remind us that there is danger, and it has been condemned."

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