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Donald Trump rallies - the blame game

In light of the protests at a Donald Trump rally in Chicago, Illinois last night, which resulted in Trump cancelling the event, many politicians and media personalities have been partaking in the blame game. Liberals have tended to place the brunt of the blame on Donald Trump's rhetoric and, to a lesser degree, his supporters. Conservatives have tended to place equal blame on Trump's rhetoric and the protesters' responses. Donald Trump and his supporters, meanwhile, have tended to place the full blame on the protesters, the media, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and even Barack Obama. So, let's take a closer look at the matter...

Barack Obama: How in the world can the president be blamed for the anger, violence, hate, divisiveness, and protests exhibited at many of Donald Trump's rallies? Did he help spread the hundreds of lies about him on social media, especially in the form of chain emails? Did he lead the charge in spreading the myth that he's not eligible to be president? Much of the hatred toward the president is due to misinformation spread about him as opposed to him spreading misinformation, and to say his words and/or actions are a factor in the rise of Donald Trump and the anger/hate/violence at his rallies is preposterous beyond words.

Percent of deserved blame: 0%


Hillary Clinton: The Democratic frontrunner has called the Republican frontrunner out on his attacks and misinformation, but not once have I heard her tell her supporters to actively disrupt Donald Trump rallies. Until I discover otherwise, I'm going to give her the same score as President Obama.

Percent of deserved blame: 0%


Bernie Sanders: Can I just say, "Ditto!"? Okay, ditto...

Percent of deserved blame: 0%


The media: It's well-known people often behave differently in front of a camera than they would typically. Given that and the fact most Donald Trump supporters and detractors are cognizant about the media presence at Trump events, especially in the age of the Internet and 24-hour news networks, it's possible the media may have unintentionally contributed to some individuals' desire for attention at these rallies. Even if that's the case, however, the media's main intent is to simply report on the rallies, so the blame here should be minimal.

Percent of deserved blame: 5%


Protesters: As is typical, most of the protesters at these rallies are quiet and peaceful. However, as is also typical, there are a few protesters who have been loud, disruptive, and have garnered most of the media's attention at these events. Due to the minority of these disruptive protesters, they deserve some of the blame.

Percent of deserved blame: 10%


Donald Trump supporters: I see Donald Trump supporters in a similar light as his detractors, as far as blame goes anyway. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango...

Percent of deserved blame: 10%


Donald Trump's rhetoric: No matter what Donald Trump proponents or opponents want to believe, there's one major underlying reason why the GOP frontrunner's rallies have been protested more than any other - Trump's rhetoric. What prompted so many angry Americans to come witness Donald Trump rallies? His angry rhetoric. What prompted so many protesters to make their voices heard at these events? Trump's angry rhetoric. During the course of Donald Trump's campaign, he's: Said Islam hates America; inferred most Muslims hate America; suggested we should at least temporarily ban Muslims from entering this county; stated we should build a wall along our Mexican border; generalized that Mexican illegal immigrants are rapists; stated all illegal immigrants should be deported; has poked fun at POW John McCain, Asians, and the disabled; has stereotyped Jews; has made several sexist remarks against women; has retweeted several posts from white supremacists; hasn't been shy about supporting illegal forms of torture and of committing war crimes; and has even encouraged violence at his rallies. Not only that, he's been the least honest of of the six remaining candidates. According to fact-checker Politifact, just 8 of the 110 Trump statements they've graded have been ruled 'True' or 'Mostly True,' or 7%. On the other hand, 85 of those 110 statements have been graded either 'Pants on Fire,' 'False,' or 'Mostly False,' or 77%. No, those aren't typos. While small percentages of blame can be cast out to the Donald Trump supporters, detractors, and the media, the main reason for the anger, hatred, and violence at Donald Trump rallies is the man's seemingly constant lies and his angry, divisive rhetoric. To put it simply, Donald Trump is the cause, the (Chicago) protests are the effect.

Percent of deserved blame: 75%

http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/

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