Donald Trump’s pants are on fire. Donald Trump is a liar, liar. He hasn’t been consumed just yet but, soon come. Speaking at a press conference today where he received the endorsement of former presidential contender Ben Carson, Trump was asked about violence at his rallies. His response?
Asked if he's "playing a character" when he says things like "I want to punch a protester in the face," Trump responded there have been "some violent people" protesting his rallies.
"These are people that punch. People that are violent people," Trump said. "The particular one where I said 'I'd like to bang him,' that was a very vicious – a guy who was swinging, very loud, and then started swinging at the audience."
He continued: "You know what? The audience swung back. And I thought it was very, very appropriate. He was swinging. He was hitting people. And the audience hit back. And that's what we need a little bit more of."
No video footage exists of any protesters initiating attacks against Trump supporters. Likewise, there have been no police reports of any Trump supporters alleging assault or battery from any protesters at Trump’s rallies.
Yet, when the Republican front-runner was asked directly if he—HE, as in HIM—had done anything to create a tone for the violence against any protestors at his rallies during last night’s Republican presidential debate, his response was “I hope not.” Then, he went on to talk about how people who come to his rallies are filled with love for the United States and are angry about bad trade deals, etc. and so on.
Trump’s press conference statements, and his Miami debate answers, come after one of his supporters was arrested for attacking a peaceful protester. Seventy-eight-year-old John McGraw was charged with battery after video went viral of him throwing a vicious elbow to the head of a protester during a rally in North Carolina on March 10. You can see the video of McGraw’s assault—with the ponytail, cowboy hat and red shirt—below.