Donald Trump is facing major backlash after suggesting a Purge-like day as a possible solution to encourage crime to “end immediately.” Speaking to an audience in Erie, Pennsylvania, during a rally for his current presidential campaign, “You see these guys walking out with air conditioners with refrigerators on their back, the craziest thing,” he said. “And the police aren’t allowed to do their job. They’re told, if you do anything, you’re gonna lose your pension.”
He went on in his speech, suggesting that one day of allowing law enforcement to use “extraordinarily rough” force for “one really violent day… and I mean real rough” would get the word out and end crime immediately.
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His comments were likened to 'The Purge.'
Trump’s comments were compared to the 2013 film The Purge. The movie depicts “an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons” according to the Rotten Tomatoes synopsis of the movie, and “the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity – including murder – is legal.”
Trump expressed concern over current crime rates.
During the speech, Trump said that crime was “at a level” the United States has never seen. “It’s rampant. It’s rising,” he said. “We have to let police do their job, [even] if they have to be extraordinarily rough.”
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People responded to his comments.
Backlash erupted after Trump’s comments. “So a presidential nominee is advocating for murder? Anyone who is considering him should be horrified,” one person commented. “This man is absolutely terrifying no matter where you stand politically…😟,” another person wrote.
'The Purge' started trending on X.
The Purge started trending on X (formerly Twitter) as users began circulating Trump’s comments.
“He’s just describing the premise of The Purge,” one person posted.
“I miss the days when advocating for The Purge would be immediately disqualifying,” another person wrote.
You can watch Trump's full speech here.
