Quotes Related to Donald Trump Promoting and Inciting Violence
#DonaldTrump 11/22/15: "❲The protestor❳ should have been, maybe he should have been roughed up." » #SarahSanders 6/29/17: "The president in no way, form or fashion has ever promoted or encouraged violence." Click To Tweet
Quotes Related to Donald Trump Promoting and Inciting Violence
THEN
2012 - 2020

- Nov 6, 2012
Business Insider, Nov 6, 2012
Donald Trump Goes On An Epic Rant On Twitter After Obama Wins

- Aug 11, 2015
Press Conference, Birch Run, Michigan
Washington Post, Aug. 11, 2015
In Michigan, Trump attacks China, critiques auto bailout, and judges Bernie Sanders ‘weak’
- Nov 22, 2015
Fox & Friends interview
Business Insider, Nov. 22, 2015
Donald Trump on his Black Lives Matter heckler: 'Maybe he should have been roughed up'
- Jan 10, 2016
Campaign rally in Reno, Nevada
Washington Post, Jan 10, 2016
Donald Trump: NFL ‘football has become soft like our country has become soft’
- Feb 1, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Business Insider, Feb. 1, 2016
Donald Trump tells his fans to 'knock the crap out of' any protesters about to throw tomatoes at him
- Feb 22, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Las Vegas, Nevada
Politico, Feb. 23, 2016
Trump on protester: 'I'd like to punch him in the face'
- Feb 24, 2016
NBC Today Show interview
Today Show, Feb. 24, 2016
Donald Trump: ‘I might tone down’ my style, were I to become president
- Feb 26, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
New York Times, Feb. 27, 2016
In ‘Good Old Days,’ Donald Trump Says, Campaign Protesters Got More Than Just an Escort Out
- March 4, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Warren, Michigan
USA Today, March 15, 2016
Fact check: ‘Temperature’ at Trump rallies
- March 9, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Fayetteville, North Carolina
USA Today, March 15, 2016
Fact check: ‘Temperature’ at Trump rallies
- March 9, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Associated Press, March 9, 2016
Donald Trump rally attendee charged with hitting black man
- March 11, 2016
Press Conference, Palm Beach, Florida
Politico, March 11, 2016
Trump: 'There used to be consequences' for protesting
“Our country has to toughen up, folks, we have to toughen up. These people are bringing us down, remember that.”
- March 11, 2016
Trump campaign rally, St. Louis, Missouri
Politico, March 11, 2016
Trump: 'There used to be consequences' for protesting
- March 12, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Bloomington, Illinois
LA Times, March 13, 2016
Trump's endorsement of violence reaches new level: He may pay legal fees for assault suspect
- March 12, 2016
Trump campaign rally, Kansas City, Missouri
Snopes, N/A
Did Donald Trump Encourage Violence at His Rallies?
- March 13, 2016
Meet the Press interview
NBC News, March 13, 2016
Donald Trump Discusses Violence at Campaign Rallies
- March 21, 2016
Washington Post interview
Washington Post, March 21, 2016
A transcript of Donald Trump’s meeting with The Washington Post editorial board
- Aug 9, 2016
The Guardian, Aug 9, 2016
Donald Trump hints at assassination of Hillary Clinton by gun rights supporters
- July 28, 2017
USA Today, July 28, 2017
Trump tells law enforcement: 'Don't be too nice' with suspects'
“No, I would never suggest this, but I will tell you, I — they’re so lucky that we’re peaceful. Law enforcement, military, construction workers, Bikers for Trump — how about Bikers for Trump? They travel all over the country. They got Trump all over the place, and they’re great. They’ve been great. But these are tough people. These are great people. But they’re peaceful people, and Antifa and all — they’d better hope they stay that way. I hope they stay that way. I hope that stay that way. And they will, the Democrats, say and do anything to try and undermine the result of the greatest election in our country’s history.”
- Sept 21, 2018
Campaign rally in Springfield, Missouri
Real Clear Politics, Sept 21, 2018
Full Springfield, MO Trump MAGA Rally: 'Our Country Is Respected Again'
Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT) body-slammed a reporter, breaking his glasses on the eve of a special House election in May, 2017.
- Oct 18, 2018
Campaign rally in Missoula, Montana
The Hill, Oct 18, 2018
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 19, 2018
Trump at Montana rally: I knew 'body slam' of reporter would help Gianforte
Here's the video of Trump on Greg Gianforte body slamming Ben Jacobs: "Any guy that can do a body slam, he's my kind of guy." pic.twitter.com/8tWxLXE6Jx
- Oct 19, 2018
The Hill, Oct 19, 2018
Trump: No regrets about cheering congressman who body-slammed reporter
- Nov 4, 2018
Campaign rally in Macon, Georgia
New York Magazine, Nov 5, 2018
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) November 4, 2018
Speech: Donald Trump Holds a Political Rally in Macon, Georgia - November 4, 2018
Telling passage where Trump portrays Antifa as a Democratic paramilitary vs "his" "bikers", cops, military, ICE and border patrol. #fasc pic.twitter.com/cKzJAtVG8F
- Dec 10, 2018
Reuters, Dec 10, 2018
Exclusive: Trump says he is not concerned about being impeached, defends payments to women
- March 2, 2019
C-SPAN, March 2, 2019
President Trump at Conservative Political Action Conference
- March 13, 2019
Breitbart (via Washington Post), March 14, 2019
Trump: You wouldn’t like my supporters in the military if they got angry
Audience member: “Shoot them!”
“Only in the panhandle you can get away with that stuff. Only in the panhandle.”
- May 8, 2019
Trump Rally in Panama City, FL
USA Today, May 9, 2019
'Only in the Panhandle': Trump chuckles when audience member suggests shooting migrants
- Sept 29, 2019
….If the Democrats are successful in removing the President from office (which they will never be), it will cause a Civil War like fracture in this Nation from which our Country will never heal.” Pastor Robert Jeffress, @FoxNews
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2019
- May 28, 2020
….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
- May 30, 2020
Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. @SecretService. They were not only totally professional, but very cool. I was inside, watched every move, and couldn’t have felt more safe. They let the “protesters” scream & rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard – didn’t know what hit them. The front line was replaced with fresh agents, like magic. Big crowd, professionally organized, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….good practice.” As you saw last night, they were very cool & very professional. Never let it get out of hand. Thank you! On the bad side, the D.C. Mayor, @MurielBowser, who is always looking for money & help, wouldn’t let the D.C. Police get involved. “Not their job.” Nice!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
- June 3, 2020
Get tough police! https://t.co/nsaZYrJe9c
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
- June 9, 2020
Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2020
Unlike @realDonaldTrump, the video does NOT lie.🤬
— Dr. Dena Grayson (@DrDenaGrayson) June 9, 2020
- June 19, 2020
Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2020
- Sept 18, 2020
CNN, Sept 20, 2020
"He got hit on the knee with a canister of tear gas," President Trump says, of @AliVelshi, who was actually hit by a rubber bullet. "Wasn't it really a beautiful sight? It's called law and order." pic.twitter.com/sVvnZUft5B — David Gura (@davidgura) September 19, 2020
Trump mocks MSNBC anchor Ali Velshi for getting shot with rubber bullet
- Sept 22, 2020
Factbase, Sept 22, 2020
"They grabbed a guy – ‘I'm a reporter! I'm a reporter!' – ‘Get out of here!' They threw him aside like a bag of popcorn. But honestly, when you watch the crap we've all had to take…it's actually a beautiful sight"-Trump glorifies violence against journos pic.twitter.com/UAENo59vrR — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 23, 2020
Speech: Donald Trump Holds a Campaign Rally in Moon Township, Pennsylvania - September 22, 2020
- Sept 29, 2020
New York Times, Sept 29, 2020
Trump Refuses to Denounce White Supremacy in Chaotic Debate
- Oct 15, 2020
Twitter, Oct 15, 2020
Trump: We sent in the US Marshals, took 15 minutes and it was over… They knew who he was, they didn’t want to arrest him and 15 minutes that ended pic.twitter.com/fJA5BsJVeF — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) October 15, 2020
We sent in the US Marshals...
#DonaldTrump 3/11/16: "The audience hit back, and that’s what we need a little bit more of." » #SarahSanders 2/22/19: "We have been consistent and repeatedly said that we condemn violence in all forms." #Civility Click To Tweet
NOW
2017 - 2019

June 29, 2017 -
White House, June 29, 2017
Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin
Feb 22, 2019 -
ABC News, Feb 22, 2019
After arrest of Coast Guard lieutenant, who allegedly amassed weapons and compiled list of Democratic lawmakers and journalists, Sarah Sanders says Pres. Trump hasn't "at any point" done anything "but condemn violence, against journalists or anyone else." https://t.co/vD1SnbtLMf pic.twitter.com/JO6LCpexIm — ABC News (@ABC) February 22, 2019
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders called out for claiming Trump quick to condemn violence against press
April 14, 2019 -
ABC News (via The Hill), April 14, 2019
Asked about President Trump's attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sarah Sanders tells @GStephanopoulos, Omar's comments are "absolutely disgraceful and unbefitting of a member of Congress and I think that it's a good thing that the president is calling her out" https://t.co/OYryJReRBT pic.twitter.com/WLhC9KGoke — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 14, 2019
Sarah Sanders: Trump not wishing 'violence toward anyone' with 9/11 tweet
Context
While clashes between Trump supporters and protestors were common at Trump 2016 campaign rallies, as of March 11, 2016, according to Time there were no documented cases of Trump protesters initiating violence against Trump supporters..1Time, March 11, 2016
Donald Trump on Violence at His Rallies: Protesters Are ‘Bad Dudes’
(retrieved 7/23/18)2Vox, July 18, 2016
This is how Donald Trump protests became so violent
(retrieved 7/23/18)
The most violent documented incident occurred at a Trump campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 9, 2016, when a Trump supporter sucker-punched a Trump protestor in the face.3NPR, March 10, 2016
Trump Rally Attendee Charged With Punching Protester In The Face
(retrieved 7/23/18)
A 2019 University of North Texas paper reported a 226 percent increase in hate crimes in counties that hosted 2016 Trump campaign rallies over comparable counties that did not host Trump rallies.4Washington Post, April 22, 2019
Counties that hosted a 2016 Trump rally saw a 226 percent increase in hate crimes
retrieved 4/22/19
“I know what [Trump’s violence-inciting] rhetoric can do. I saw it happen [when white supremacist Dylann Roof murdered nine black parishioners in Charleston].”
– Nikki Haley, June 2, 20165Associated Press, June 2, 2016
Haley talks of Trump, Confederate flag ahead of anniversary
retrieved 8/25/20
#DonaldTrump 3/11/16: "You know, part of the problem…is nobody wants to hurt each other anymore, right?" » #SarahSanders 6/29/17: "The president in no way, form or fashion has ever promoted or encouraged violence." Click To Tweet