Former President Donald Trump caused quite a stir Saturday during a campaign rally near Dayton, Ohio.
Speaking at an event in support of Bernie Moreno, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, Trump addressed a number of issues, including the domestic vehicle manufacturing industry.
The GOP presidential nominee vowed, if elected, to slap a 100% tariff on ever foreign-made car to protect production here in the U.S.
"Now, if I don't get elected, it's going to be a bloodbath for the whole -- that's going to be the least of it. It's going to be a bloodbath for the country," he added.
Needless to say, Democrats and Trump's critics seized on the use of "bloodbath" to claim the former president was promoting insurrection if he is not returned to the White House. Especially since in the same speech he praised those doing prison time for participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, violent uprising at the the U.S. Capitol as "hostages" and "unbelievable patriots,"
Trump's supporters were quick to say he was only speaking in economic terms about the American auto industry.
We agree Trump was talking about the auto industry with his colorful language. We don't think he was promoting violence.
"Bloodbath" is just Trump being Trump. The former president has a history of inflammatory speech. His supporters see it as straight talk, tough and far from from typical political speech. It's one reason his supporters remain loyal.
Critics are out on a limb on this one. Trump could have chosen his words more carefully -- and we would urge him to do so in the future. But let's face it, that's not going to happen.
If there's one thing you can count on, Donald Trump will be Donald Trump and he's not about to change.