On Sunday, former President Donald Trump proposed a controversial new policy at a rally in Pennsylvania, which many critics have equated to legalizing a real-life version of The Purge. The dystopian film series features a world where, for a 12-hour period, all crimes are legalized. Trump’s remarks drew widespread condemnation and sparked numerous comparisons to the movie’s violent premise.
During the rally, Trump admitted that his earlier events were not as lively, saying his supporters had been “falling asleep.” Despite his efforts to re-energize the crowd, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign noted that many rallygoers, positioned directly behind Trump, started leaving before he finished speaking. However, it was one specific comment that captured the most attention and backlash on social media, reported Mediaite.
Trump stated that police in the U.S. are currently unable to do their jobs due to restrictions, offering his own extreme solution for addressing crime. As reported by Sebastian Smith, AFP’s Washington desk chief, “Trump in Erie, PA, says in US ‘the police aren’t allowed to do their job.’ To stop crime, you need ‘one really violent day.’ He says: ‘One rough hour and I mean real rough, the word would get out and it would end immediately.'”
The suggestion that crime could be eradicated through a single, intense episode of violence led to immediate outrage. Social media quickly lit up with comparisons to The Purge. The Intellectualist responded to Trump’s remarks by stating, “Trump appears to endorse ‘The Purge’ as policy.”
Other political commentators followed suit. Decision Desk HQ contributor Nick Field wrote, “Trump literally calling for The Purge.” Paul Blest, a political reporter, questioned, “Did Trump watch The Purge or just independently come up with the same idea?” Conspiracy theory expert Mike Rothschild added, “The Purge. He’s endorsing The Purge.”
The comparisons didn’t stop there. Politico reporter Adam Wren remarked, “This is roughly the plot of the movie The Purge,” while former presidential speechwriter Dan Cluchey expressed disbelief at the lack of widespread media coverage, stating, “No big deal, just one of the two candidates for President calling for a ‘really violent day’ of nationwide police brutality. Don’t bother covering this as a major story, anyone.”
The backlash to Trump’s remarks has been swift, with many questioning the implications of his extreme rhetoric. University of Texas law professor Lee Kovarsky summed up the reaction of many by commenting, “People confuse telling hard truths with just being a total f—— idiot.” As the political landscape continues to heat up, Trump’s call for a “really violent day” is likely to remain a focal point of criticism and debate.
