Donald Trump’s immediate response to the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele was to claim that the cause was Reiner’s “massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind- crippling disease known as ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome.'” The message is clear. If you are killed by someone who hates you because you spoke out against Trump, it is your own fault. 

No one should be killed for their words. Not Charlie Kirk, for his right-wing words. Not the Reiners for their left-wing words. However, in Trump’s world, those who support his ideology are victims if they become targets of violence. Those who attacked for opposing him get what they deserve. 

This will do nothing to reduce political violence in the United States. It will only justify it in the minds of even more people.

Raymond Michalowski
Old Orchard Beach