On November 3rd, in a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Republican candidate Donald Trump made outrageous comments regarding the press and the 2020 election that left many baffled by his continued carelessness of perpetuating violence, conspiracy, and insurrection, just days before an election that is sure to spark conflict across the country, if history so wishes to repeat itself after the 2021 Capitol attack. This continued cycle of Trump’s dangerous rhetoric spells a shaky and potentially violent future for American politics, especially if he gets elected into office.

When recounting the attempt on his life that occurred at a similar rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump made the observation that to get to him, a gunman would have to shoot through the journalists who were there reporting on the event.

“I have this piece of glass here,” he observed, regarding the bulletproof glass that now shields him away from potential threats. “But all we have really over here is the fake news. And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don’t mind that so much.”

Not only is it ludicrous to deem the press ‘fake news’, when all it does is reiterate and commentate on the untruthful waste that Trump pushes to the American people, but to encourage violence upon the people of these publications is unconstitutional, and should be frightening to all. The American Press serves as its own check in terms of balanced power and holds the golden role of holding politicians accountable for their actions. To wish violence on the press is to wish for the removal of free speech, and the removal of the freedom of the press; two fundamental rights that this country is built upon.

Specifically in this election cycle, Trump has tirelessly launched attacks on different news networks and publications. After Democratic candidate Kamala Harris interviewed with the popular CBS news show 60 Minutes, Trump sued the news network for, he claims, editing her interview and facilitating “partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion.” CBS, states, however, that the interview was edited to fit the limited airtime of the network.

“When we edit any interview, whether a politician, an athlete, or a movie star, we strive to be clear, accurate, and on point,” CBS asserted. However, the lawsuit is being carried through and is set to be overseen in court by Judge Matthew Kascmaryk, who was selected by Trump in 2017. One doesn’t have to wonder who the case will be decided in favor of.

In his drawn-out speech at the Lititz rally, Trump also expressed that he should’ve stayed in the White House, despite the 2020 Presidential Election results. “I shouldn’t have left, I mean, honestly,” he stressed. “We did so well.” Despite numerous criticisms Trump has faced for encouraging violence amongst his followers, especially after the 2021 attack, he continues to fight against a peaceful transfer of power. He has claimed that if he loses, it’ll be due to interference. This harmful statement will only spell outrage and hysteria from his followers, and we may, for a second election cycle in a row, not experience a peaceful transfer of power. And we all have the former president to thank for that.

In fact, through his campaign cycle, Trump has continued to claim that the 2020 Election was unfair. Despite being disproved on multiple occasions, he continues to push this harmful view in order to justify the tragic event that took place on January 6th, in 2021.

At the Republican Convention this summer, Trump proclaimed in his speech, “And then we had that horrible, horrible result that will never happen again. The election result. We’re never going to let that happen. They used COVID to cheat.” By utilizing this kind of language and sentiment, Trump alienates a good chunk of Americans who are aligned with the Democratic party, which is dangerous enough. But to then also claim that COVID-19, a viral illness that took the lives of over a million Americans, was nothing more than a tool to overturn the election in Biden’s favor, is offensive and devaluing.

Trump’s rhetoric does nothing valuable for the American people. It causes chaos, inflicts violence, and spreads hatred throughout the country. Someone who goes to such lengths to divide the American people, rip away constitutional rights, and threaten peace within our country should never be allowed into office. We can only hope that the people make the right choice, and ensure that Trump never has access to Presidential power ever again.