Attempted assassination followed years of Democrats, media demonizing Trump as Hitler-like threat

Just one day after the attempt on former President Donald Trump's life, President Joe Biden issued a call to "lower the temperature in our politics." Biden's remarks reminded his "fellow Americans" that "while we may disagree, we are not enemies."

But for weeks and months before the Saturday night episode in Pennsylvania, Democrats relentlessly attacked Trump as a threat to democracy, and as a new version of Adolf Hitler.

Former First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare public statement condemning the "monster" who "attempted to ring out Donald's passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration."

"Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy, and political games are inferior to love," the former First Lady wrote.

While Biden echoed some of Melania Trump's sentiments, he has a different history with "lower[ing] the temperature in our politics," as do the media and Biden's own party members.

Five days before the attempt on Trump's life, Biden told supporters "It's time to put Trump in a bullseye," Politico reported of "a private call with donors."

And back in September of 2022, Biden, speaking in Philadelphia, did not mince words when discussing the "threats" posed by Trump and MAGA Republicans. Biden accused both of "represent[ing] extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic."

Biden, however, took pains to say "not every Republican embraces their extreme [MAGA] ideology" and to condemn political violence, a reference to the January 6 Capitol riot. Still, Biden accused the Republican Party of being "dominated, driven, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans," which he deemed "a threat to this country."

The rhetoric goes beyond Biden and includes other Democratic politicians and Biden-supporting media.

Take, for example, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., who in June of 2018 publicly called for the harassment of Trump administration members over the administration's border policies, as CNN reported.

Waters told rally attendees:

"Let’s make sure we show up wherever we have to show up. And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere."

In September of 2023, Rep. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., called for Trump's "elimination" to protect democracy, The Hill reported. Goldman later "apologize[d] for the poor choice of words."

 Just six days before the assassination attempt, The New Republic shared the cover of its June 2024 edition on X, featuring a picture of Trump edited to look like Adolf Hitler:

In December of 2023, The Washingon Post published an opinion piece titled "Yes, it's okay to compare Trump to Hitler. Don't let me stop you."

The piece discusses Godwin's Law of Nazi analogies, a tongue-in-cheek "law" that states "as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one." The author and coiner of "Godwin's Law," Mark Godwin, a blatantly anti-Trump internet influencer, wrote that the comparison was no joke when it came to Trump:

"But when people draw parallels between Donald Trump’s 2024 candidacy and Hitler’s progression from fringe figure to Great Dictator, we aren’t joking. Those of us who hope to preserve our democratic institutions need to underscore the resemblance before we enter the twilight of American democracy."

The day after the assassination attempt, The Washington Post published another opinion piece titled "Turn down the heat, let in the light." The piece urged "soul-searching" among "every participant in our civic life" and a softening of rhetoric.

Trump is set to speak at the RNC convention this Thursday. Trump told The Washington Examiner that he rewrote his nomination acceptance speech after the attempt on his life.

No longer will the primary focus be criticism of Biden's policies. Trump stated he will instead speak about unifying the country.