Violent Rhetoric Is a Bipartisan Problem—And So Is the Resulting Hypocrisy
A shooting attempt at the 2026 White House Correspondents Dinner reignited bipartisan debates over political hypocrisy and violent rhetoric, with both sides quick to blame the other's rhetoric without examining their own. The author argues that extremists are often wrongly linked to mainstream political figures, but that fringe voices on both sides still contribute to a toxic environment that frames political opponents as existential threats. While quoting extreme rhetoric doesn't equate to inciting violence, such language fuels societal division and perceptions of widespread extremism. The solution, the author suggests, is for each political side to proactively reject extremism within its own ranks to credibly oppose it overall.
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Jonah Goldberg / April 29, 2026 Violent Rhetoric Is a Bipartisan Problem—And So Is the Resulting Hypocrisy To fight extremism, start by policing your own side first. Politics Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (C) is taken out of the ballroom by security agents during a shooting incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (C) is taken out of the ballroom by security agents during a shooting incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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