CNN’s Dana Bash criticized President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on Fox News, describing them as a “rhetorical grenade” that could further inflame political tensions following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
While appearing on Fox News, Trump was asked about how Americans could unify. Instead, he launched into a critique of left-wing radicals:
“The radicals on the right oftentimes are radical because they don’t want to see crime… The radicals on the left are the problem, and they’re vicious and they’re horrible and they’re politically savvy.”
During Friday’s Inside Politics, Bash responded, “I just want to reiterate this is on Fox and he is being asked on Fox, how do we come back together, and his answer… was throwing a rhetorical grenade.”
CNN’s Kristen Holmes added that Trump’s comments were not helpful in “toning down the rhetoric,” echoing earlier remarks by Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R), who urged Americans to de-escalate political discourse after Kirk’s assassination.
Bash acknowledged that there is radicalism on both sides: “Facts are important here — he is not wrong that there has been radicalization on the left.” However, she emphasized that violence has emerged from both political spectrums, citing the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi by a right-wing extremist.
Trump’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of political rhetoric’s role in inciting violence. Critics argue that rather than de-escalating, the former president continues to escalate tensions during a moment of national mourning.
