The Role of the Media in Normalizing Political Violence for the Public

In a recent episode of The Bauer and Rose Podcast, hosts Gary Bauer and Tom Rose discussed a troubling trend in American media, where they accused mainstream outlets like CNN and The New York Times of influencing the public to accept violence against political figures, especially former President Donald Trump. They argued that the media is not only biased but actively promoting a narrative that encourages hostility towards Trump supporters and conservatives.

Bauer and Rose compared the current media environment to the post-9/11 era, highlighting a climate of fear and hysteria. They claimed that today’s media focuses on villainizing Trump to such an extent that violence against him becomes normalized, leading to concerning outcomes like recent assassination attempts against him.

2.5 minutes of Democrats explicitly calling for using political violence.

They own this. pic.twitter.com/cHYdDvqqxS

— Charlie (@MAGACharlie2024) September 16, 2024

They also criticized the Democratic National Committee and the broader political establishment for perpetuating false narratives, like the Trump-Russia collusion story, which further stoke tensions. Bauer highlighted that the left-leaning media’s divisive rhetoric fosters unrest and political violence while sidelining values like free speech and civil discourse.

The episode explored the repercussions of this media-driven radicalization, pointing out its impact on both domestic politics and America’s global reputation. Bauer and Rose noted that the Biden administration’s foreign policy missteps, particularly in Ukraine, have emboldened countries like Russia and China, while the media largely ignores these failures. They criticized the media for selective outrage on trivial matters at the expense of crucial national security issues.

Whatever you do, you must not make jokes about political violence. Right MAGA? pic.twitter.com/JYWld9ZXn5

— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) September 15, 2024

Several conservative commentators share similar concerns about the media exacerbating political divides. The hosts emphasized that media bias extends beyond unfair reporting to a deliberate attempt to undermine conservative movements, delegitimize Trump’s leadership, and destabilize American democracy.

An alarming aspect discussed in the episode is the media’s role in normalizing political violence. By portraying Trump and his supporters as enemies of democracy, the media creates a climate where violence against them is justified, setting a dangerous precedent and making political violence more accepted in American society.

The hosts concluded by advocating for a return to core American principles like freedom of speech, respect for differing opinions, and the necessity of strong leadership. They urged vigilance against the media’s use of fear and misinformation to shape public opinion. For Bauer and Rose, this fight is not just about Trump or conservatism but safeguarding the values integral to American democracy.

As the 2024 elections draw near, there are concerns that this trend of radicalization will escalate. Bauer and Rose cautioned that with the media’s continued promotion of divisive narratives, the stakes are higher than ever for the country’s future. The episode critiques the media’s role in today’s political climate while calling on conservatives to resist what they view as a dangerous trend of misinformation and political violence.