Journalists Report More and More Instances of Being Harassed at Trump Rallies
First, it was quips about “[opening] up the libel laws” and never killing journalists in spite of hating them. Then, it was publicly attacking individual journalists one by one. There was the declaration that instead of running against Hillary Clinton for the presidency, he was running against the “crooked media.” Donald Trump has been sowing the seeds of hatred against the media for months.
Earlier this month, NBC News’ Katy Tur wrote an op-ed about what it has been like following Trump on the campaign trail. She wrote about him calling her out by name at rallies, then having to be walked to her car by security afterward. That is the effect the comments about libel laws and crooked media have brought on because some supporters have interpreted them as calls to harass journalists. On the 12th of this month, a rallygoer became incensed and started screaming at the press pen, calling journalists traitors.
Trump supporter swings by the press pen in Kissimmee, FL to let us know we’re number one!! pic.twitter.com/WzUPBal7nW
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) August 12, 2016
That incident went pretty viral, but there has been an increase in incidents like it since.
This man at the Trump rally is very carefully taking individual pictures of all the reporters in the media pen pic.twitter.com/fsLj7U0RYy
— Dan Roberts (@RobertsDan) August 19, 2016
Overheard: Trump might lose because of biased media, friend said if he loses then they might need to take matters in their own hands
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) August 19, 2016
Woman just said everyone at CNN should be arrested.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) August 19, 2016
Tonight had a much different air. The crowd was vocal about readiness to pin Trump loss on media. Several mentions of post-loss violence
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) August 19, 2016
This guy is yelling out super crass insults against CNN reporters with his son at his side pic.twitter.com/QnNHRgCyux
— Jill Colvin (@colvinj) August 19, 2016
@ChrisMegerian nope
— Jill Colvin (@colvinj) August 19, 2016
More from the press pen: man shouts & press, w/ his laughing child by his side, who wants his dad to stand closer pic.twitter.com/NbvuohGtZo
— Noah Gray CNN (@NoahGrayCNN) August 19, 2016
A guy in a tank top eating nachos (complete with cheese on his lip) is heckling the press: “You’re all on puppet strings”
— Ginger Gibson (@GingerGibson) August 19, 2016
There is a man walking around with a live feed showing the press asking the reporters “What did you think” and then yelling “tell the truth”
— Ginger Gibson (@GingerGibson) August 19, 2016
I saw members of the audience filing out at the end was walking pass the press pen hurling insults at the reporters. https://t.co/kfz5EgAuuu
— Joel Bowden (@joimbow) August 19, 2016
It’s happening on Twitter, too, of course:
@NoahGrayCNN Just so you know…WE LOATHE YOU ALL..WITH A PASSION. Have a good Sunday! #NeverHillary pic.twitter.com/qPvc2uHiM8
— Republican Chicklet (@anne19brown) August 14, 2016
People have questions and concerns:
@alivitali What is your employer doing to protect you?
— CLCKeys (@TailgaterNJ) August 19, 2016
@SopanDeb for what it’s worth,a lot of ppl appreciate the good reporting and hate the abuse you all have taken from candidate + rallygoers
— Lin Humphrey, Ph.D. (@LinHumphrey) August 14, 2016
For the most part, though, it just seems to be getting worse as more and more reporters document the abuse they are receiving for doing their jobs.
[image via screengrab]
