The recent second assassination attempt on Donald Trump sparked intense media discourse, with many left-leaning commentators framing political violence as a “both sides” issue. Networks like MSNBC and major newspapers worked to equate inflammatory rhetoric from both Republicans and Democrats as if to imply that such threats and attacks stem equally from each side. But as the conversation unfolded, it became clear that this equivocation was being used to deflect from the uncomfortable truth: someone had again tried to kill Trump.
One of the clearest examples of this deflection came from CNN’s Dana Bash, who chose to point fingers at JD Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio. She accused him of inciting bomb threats in Springfield, OH, trying to link his rhetoric to acts of violence in the same breath that actual gunfire was aimed at Trump. The absurdity of this claim was evident from the moment it was uttered.
Bomb threats, while concerning, are a frequent occurrence in the U.S., rarely resulting in any actual harm. They are usually little more than a scare tactic designed to spread fear and cause chaos but without any genuine intent to carry out the attack. Historically, the overwhelming majority of bomb threats end up being hoaxes. And yet, Bash and others in the media tried to equate these hoaxes with a very real attempt on the former president’s life.
JD Vance to Dana Bash: "You accused me of causing a bomb threat. Doesn't that mean you should shut up about the residents of Springfield? Don't you realize you're engaged in basic propaganda to silence the concerns of American citizens?" pic.twitter.com/tYFvpZgVKJ
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 15, 2024
But there was an even bigger problem with Bash’s accusations: the bomb threats in question were not only hoaxes, but they had absolutely no connection to JD Vance, Donald Trump, or any of their supporters. They weren’t even definitively tied to the political tensions surrounding the Haitian migrant situation in Ohio at the time. The suggestion that Vance had somehow incited this behavior was not just dubious—it was demonstrably false. And yet, the accusation was made with no hesitation.
JUST IN: Ohio governor says all 33 bomb threats against Springfield, Ohio have been hoaxes that are coming from overseas.
Just another media-fueled hoax.
Governor Mike DeWine said the threats are coming from "one particular country."
"33 separate bomb threats, each one of… pic.twitter.com/JHXQqBOAEe
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 16, 2024
Dewine never said which country “overseas” is making the phone calls.
