Regarding Jim Fossel’s May 3 column, “Maine Democrats should have swiftly condemned attack on Trump,” I agree 100% that all political violence should be condemned. I also agree with his statement, “To be clear, insulting and berating people just because you disagree with them politically does not make you edgy or cool. It makes you a jerk.” 

Sadly enough, that description fits our president. Here is a portion of text President Trump posted to Truth Social, directed at Bruce Springsteen: “Bad, and very boring singer, Bruce Springsteen … is a total loser who spews hate against a President who won a landslide election …” He ends with “MAGA SHOULD BOYCOTT HIS OVERPRICED CONCERTS, WHICH SUCK …”

Insulting and berating people, this president is setting an example. His followers accept this attitude as normal and, as Mr. Fossel notes, this “encourages acceptance.”

Another lamentable example came when Robert Mueller died: “Robert Mueller just died. Good. I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.”

Trump has set the standard for spewing hatred and vengeance. The same thing happened when Rob Reiner and his wife were brutally killed.

I would suggest, Mr. Fossel, that there are more serious issues to deal with than how long it took Democrats to speak up about one event. Fossel is upset by language used by the shooter “indirectly” toward the president, yet language used by the president, which sets a tone of hatred and vengeance for his followers, is apparently not worth condemning.

William Whelan
Brunswick