Last week Donald Trump made news at a rally in Alabama for claiming that he saw thousands of New Jersey Muslims celebrating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
On Monday Trump generated headlines for telling a crowd in Ohio that he supports waterboarding, an interrogation technique many equate to torture, even “if it doesn’t work.”
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pauses for a photo with a supporter after speaking during a rally at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, Monday. AP Photo / Paul Vernon
“They deserve it anyway, for what they’re doing,” Trump said.
At rally after rally across the country, Trump’s free-wheeling speeches have produced a steady stream of controversial statements that are dominating media coverage of the GOP presidential race.
Trump arrives in Sarasota for another big rally Saturday at Robarts Arena, and while it’s impossible to predict what he’ll say next, there’s a good chance it will spark another round of intense media scrutiny and public debate.
The Trump Show is in town and it’s unlike any political campaign in modern history.
“He seems almost immune to the typical political gaffe,” said Florida Atlantic University political science professor Kevin Wagner.
Trump routinely crosses into territory that many political observers would have considered untouchable in years past, offending entire ethnic or religious groups and almost never apologizing or retracting his statements.
The candidate has ridden a tidal wave of free media coverage and seems to relish pushing the boundaries. His large rallies have become the hottest political ticket of the year, attracting more than 10,000 people in some locations.
Lately, though, the events have generated less welcome attention as political observers accuse him of playing fast and loose with the facts. Physical altercations between Trump supporters and protesters also have become commonplace.
Trump’s claim that he remembers seeing images of Muslims in New Jersey celebrating after Sept. 11 has been denounced by many as an outright falsehood. Fellow GOP candidate Ben Carson recently retracted a similar statement, but Trump is standing by what he said.
The comments are part of a broader pattern of Trump making inflammatory remarks regarding Muslims. He also has talked about shutting down mosques linked to extremists, called for stronger surveillance of such institutions and seemed to indicate he’d be open to registering all Muslims in a database before recently clarifying that he only wants a database for Syrian refugees.
“This sentiment he’s expressing — modern nativism — if you look at the polls, that’s a very potent concern in the electorate right now,” Wagner said. “I think he speaks to that, and I don’t think people are very concerned whether he gets the details right or not.”
Trump has established a persona that “shields him” from the backlash other candidates might receive for similar comments, Wagner said.
“With Trump the image of him is he has a willingness to be blunt-spoken and say things others won’t say,” he said.
Republicans voters are responding to Trump’s message. A Washington Post/ABC News poll last week had the candidate leading the GOP field for the fourth consecutive month.
The poll found that Trump is seen as the candidate best prepared to handle issues ranging from the economy to immigration and the threat of terrorism.
Trump supporters say his tough talk on domestic security after the terrorist attacks on Paris, and on issues such as immigration, is evidence of a strong leader who is willing to tackle difficult issues.
“We need someone who is not afraid and doesn’t worry about political correctness,” said Tea Party Manatee President Doug Egger, who plans to attend Trump’s Sarasota rally.
Egger said Trump is “echoing people’s frustrations” when he talks about rounding up and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants. And Trump’s statements about Muslims show that he is “honest if nothing else,” Egger said.
“Until this 1.8 billion Muslim population, until they come out and condemn the activities of these few terrorists then they’re just as culpable with the rest,” Egger said. “I don’t have a problem with him or anyone else grouping Muslims with the terrorists.”
Egger also is willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt when the media questions the accuracy of his statements.
“When people on the left make outrageous statements that there’s no evidence to back up, it doesn’t seem to matter to the press, so why should this?” he said.
Bryan Ellis with the liberal group Answer Suncoast calls Trump’s rhetoric “a historically new type of flagrant racism and xenophobia.” Ellis is organizing a protest outside the candidate’s Sarasota rally. He expects 50 to 100 people.
“What we’re trying to say to the community at large is we all need to stand together against this,” Ellis said. “It’s not a joke. It’s quite serious, and the longer we allow Trump to spread his message, the more dangerous it becomes for people in our community, Muslims, Mexicans, refugees, women, all sorts of marginalized people.”
Clashes between protesters and Trump supporters have become a common occurrence at the candidate’s rallies. Last week a Black Lives Matter activist was knocked to the ground at Trump’s Alabama rally. Video appears to show members of the crowd kicking and punching him while he was on the ground.
In the past Trump had urged supporters not to harm protesters. But on Sunday he told Fox News the Black Lives Matter activist may have deserved the rough treatment.
“Maybe he should have been roughed up, because it was absolutely disgusting what he was doing,” Trump said.
Sarasota Police Department officers met with Robarts officials this week to discuss a security plan.
“Our officers will be there to ensure a safe event,” said police spokeswoman Genevieve Judge. “Our number one priority is public safety.”
About the event
What: Donald Trump campaign rally
Where: Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota
When: Saturday, Nov. 28. Doors open at 9 a.m.. Event begins at noon.
