Is Trump Distinctively Responsible for the Rise of Political Violence?

Culture & Politics Podcasts

Is Trump Distinctively Responsible for the Rise of Political Violence?

February 19, 2026

1 min read

Podcast audio:

In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Elan Journo discuss the role of Trump in today’s rise in political violence.

Topics include:

How Trump’s campaign demonized fellow Americans
Connection between tribalism and violence
Trump’s whitewashing of violence
Trump’s targeted political attacks
Trump’s comfort with political force and strongmen
How “crisis narratives” legitimize the use of force

This episode was recorded on February 13, 2026. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here.

Image credits: Zach D Roberts / NurPhoto via Getty Images; Brent Stirton / News / via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch / Staff / via Getty Images

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