The conviction of former US President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts by a New York jury has triggered a wave of violent and threatening rhetoric among his supporters, as revealed by comments on various pro-Trump websites. Calls for riots, revolution, and violent retribution flooded platforms like Truth Social and Patriots. Win, and the Gateway Pundit.
Some individuals advocated for attacks on jurors, the execution of the judge, Justice Juan Merchan, and even civil war and armed insurrection. Such alarming rhetoric underscores the deeply divisive political climate and the intensity of emotions surrounding Trump's legal troubles.
Despite Trump's baseless claims of a rigged trial and corrupt judges, a 12-member jury found him guilty of falsifying documents related to a payment to silence a porn star before the 2016 election. Trump's continued attacks online, particularly targeting the judge and jury, further fuelled the vitriol among his followers.
Experts warn that Trump's ability to mobilize extreme supporters, both politically and through violence, poses a significant risk. The guilty verdict may embolden some of his supporters who see him as a victim of a conspiracy and feel justified in resorting to violent action.
While many of the posts flagged by Reuters stopped short of being prosecutable threats, they nevertheless reflect a disturbing trend of violent rhetoric and the potential for radicalization among certain segments of Trump's base. The fallout from his conviction underscores the broader challenges facing American democracy and the ongoing threat posed by extremist ideologies.
