Donald Trump posted a video with a photo of Joe Biden restrained like a hostage and linked to an article with a photo of a New York judge’s daughter during his hush money trial. Voters need to face the reality of what supporting Trump means.

Many of Trump’s close Republican allies said on social media platforms that Trump was only being charged because he is President Biden’s competitor in the 2024 presidential election, accusing Biden of weaponizing justice. They also emphasized that most of Trump’s grassroots supporters are weapon bearers. Arizona Republican Rep. Biggs wrote on Twitter: “We have entered a stage of war. We must avenge ourselves.”

Right-wing media websites further amplified the threats and calls for violence from Trump’s allies, and received enthusiastic responses from netizens on social media platforms. In recent years, Trump’s supporters have become accustomed to the threatening rhetoric of Trump and his allies who violently defend Trump.

Experts on political violence warn that attacks against individuals or government institutions are more likely to occur when elected lawmakers or prominent media figures are able to make threats or call for violence with impunity.