Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“Those who constantly falsely label and slander the president as a fascist, as a threat to democracy and compare him to Hitler to score political points are fueling this kind of violence,” Leavitt said, adding, “When you read the manifesto of this shooter, ask yourselves: ‘How different is the rhetoric from this almost assassin from what you read on social media and hear in various forms every day?’”

Tangent

Trump initially called for unity in the wake of Saturday’s shooting. “We have to resolve our differences,” he said in a press conference almost immediately after the incident. He said there was a “tremendous amount of love and coming together” between the press corps and government officials, despite their contentious relationship during Trump’s term. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, he said, “I saw some Democrats, as we were leaving—and they were generally hostile—and last night they were waving to me . . . the place was just coming together. It was very nice to see.” Trump changed course later in the day, however, when he attacked 60 Minutes correspondent Norah O’Donnell for reading a segment of the shooter’s manifesto that said, “I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.” Trump, apparently assuming the shooter was referring to him, told O’Donnell, “you should be ashamed of yourself for reading that, because I’m not any of those things. You shouldn’t be reading that on ‘60 Minutes.’ You’re a disgrace.”

Key Background

Trump has repeatedly warred with ABC in both his personal and official capacities over what he views as unfair coverage. Kimmel was suspended briefly by the network in September for suggesting the “MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterize [suspect Tyler Robinson] as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points,” referring to the alleged shooter of Charlie Kirk. ABC suspended Kimmel after Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr threatened to punish the network if it failed to take action against Kimmel over the comments. Trump has also called for ABC stations’ broadcast licenses to be revoked and sued ABC in his personal capacity for defamation over its coverage of writer E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit against him. The network settled with Trump for $15 million.

Further Reading

Melania Trump Accuses Jimmy Kimmel Of ‘Hateful And Violent Rhetoric’ (Forbes)

Top Democrats Allege Possible FCC ‘Corrupt Pay-To-Play’ Scheme Behind Kimmel Suspension (Forbes)

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel ‘Indefinitely’ After Charlie Kirk Comments: Here’s What He Said (Forbes)