As Trump celebrates violence against protesters, it’s like 2016 all over again

President Donald Trump drew fresh criticism after he applauded a supporter who struck a protester during his Wednesday evening appearance in South Carolina, a stop intended to shore up the campaign of Sen. Darline Graham, a Republican who holds her seat by appointment. MS NOW reports that the event was repeatedly disrupted: security removed at least four demonstrators about five minutes in, and at least 11 had been escorted out by the time his 93-minute address ended.

Roughly 20 minutes into the remarks, an attendee appeared to hit a protester who was on the floor near the stage. Trump then thanked whoever threw the blow, said he had watched it, called it incredible, and compared the puncher to boxer Evander Holyfield. He also said the protester had been whacked.

The episode echoes his 2016 campaign. According to MS NOW, he then urged supporters in Iowa to hit anyone about to throw a tomato and promised to cover their legal costs, and he later told rallygoers to remove a heckler and said he would defend them in court. After another protester was punched, he suggested the man may have deserved it.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →