Over the weekend, an absolutely vile video began to circulate online. It was a meme video taken from a gruesome scene in the movie Kingsman depicting Donald Trump inside a church using a gun to systematically murder journalists and political foes like Kathy Griffin, and even pistol-whipping former Sen. John McCain. With media logos covering the faces of targets, the fake video shows Donald Trump murdering CNN, BuzzFeed, CBS, The Washington Post, and many others. There’s even a moment where Trump smashes Barack Obama’s face into a pulpit. Equally as troubling is the fact the video aired at a conservative event hosted by American Priority at Trump’s Doral Resort (of course). The event featured high-profile Trump supporters including Donald Trump, Jr., Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Washington Post has the details on the origin of the video:
The video, adapted from the scene of a church massacre in the 2014 film “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” appeared to be shared to YouTube in 2018 on a channel that posts similar pro-Trump content and has been linked to a meme-maker associated with a website called MemeWorld. The site’s creator, a user known by his Internet handle, Carpe Donktum, scored an Oval Office meeting in July with Trump, who reportedly welcomed him as a “genius.”
Carpe Donktum confirmed in a Twitter message Sunday to The Washington Post that “The creator of the video is, and will remain a contributor to my site MemeWorld.” Carpe Donktum declined to identify the video’s creator citing concerns that the person may face online or in-person harassment.
In a presidential term filled with lows, this was certainly a new bottom. So, how did the “targets” of the video respond? With swift outrage and calls for Donald Trump to denounce and apologize for this being shown at his own resort with his own family and supporters in attendance. After all, there have been numerous real-life violent attacks, including murders, done in the name of supporting Donald Trump, his attacks on the media, and his racist rhetoric.
Read below to see the reaction, including a final thought from Sen. Chris Murphy at the end of this article (along with the video itself), who implores us all to watch the video, not turn away, and be angry. Talk about it with your friends and family so we can come together to not only denounce this vileness, but have a thoughtful discussion about the type of country we want to be moving forward. In short, this isn’t it!
First up, the White House Correspondents’ Association, which includes journalists from many of the organizations targeted in the video, noted the history of inciting violence and called on all Americans to condemn the video.
“All Americans should condemn this depiction of violence directed toward journalists and the president’s political opponents,” Jonathan Karl, president of the association, said in a statement.
“We have previously told the president his rhetoric could incite violence. Now we call on him and everybody associated with this conference to denounce this video and affirm that violence has no place in our society,” Karl added.
Cindy McCain echoed the WHCA’s statement, saying she was “registering my outrage.”
Journalists and CNN contributors weighed in, noting this video itself is a form of terrorism.
White House spokesperson Stephanie Grisham offered the only word from the White House. Donald Trump has sent numerous tweets in the last 48 hours, but none have touched on the video scandal.
Kathy Griffin responded. You’ll recall she was nearly out of show business altogether after the parody photo shoot she did holding a severed head that resembled Donald Trump. After all, Donald Trump and conservatives sure did have a lot to say about that incident. They are oddly silent now.
CNN put out a statement calling the video images “vile and horrific.”
Rep. Ted Deutch appeared on CNN and he didn’t hold back with his outrage.
In the end, many want to turn away from the video, and who could blame them? It is horrific! It is a complete breakdown of societal and political norms. There are 50 different ways this video should be condemned by Donald Trump, who has thus far kept his big mouth shut on the topic. But, here is Sen. Murphy encouraging you to watch the gruesome video from start to finish and ask yourself, is this person fit to lead?
What’s your reaction? Sound off below.