President Donald Trump lashed out at Saturday Night Live's interpretation of his press conference in the Rose Garden announcing his intention to declare a national emergency for what he calls a crisis at the southern border.
Trump accused the show of airing Republican "hit jobs" and of being the "real collusion."
Nothing funny about tired Saturday Night Live on Fake News NBC! Question is, how do the Networks get away with thes… https://t.co/xwSLxmNPpk— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1550407958.0
THE RIGGED AND CORRUPT MEDIA IS THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1550408169.0
Now, actor Alec Baldwin—whose skewering portrayal of Trump has been lauded by nearly everyone but Trump himself—has taken the President's tweet calling for retribution as a threat to his and his family's safety.
I wonder if a sitting President exhorting his followers that my role in a TV comedy qualifies me as an enemy of the… https://t.co/Koh2MBHYFB— HABFoundation (@HABFoundation) 1550456266.0
Many understood his concerns.
@ABFalecbaldwin That's certainly I would want to know about, were it me.— Trump's Wattle (@Trump's Wattle) 1550456351.0
@ABFalecbaldwin I believe it does but we all have your back in NYC. 😉— @FreeThinking (@@FreeThinking) 1550491777.0
@ABFalecbaldwin I would say yes. Be careful— Deanne💚🌱 (@Deanne💚🌱) 1550488934.0
@ABFalecbaldwin Yes it constitutes a threat to your safety and that of your family! Trump has already put the live… https://t.co/GIhj5v9w6k— ❤️Diana❤️ (@❤️Diana❤️) 1550492827.0
@ABFalecbaldwin Under normal circumstances, I would say no, but these are not 'normal' times nor is this president… https://t.co/8zOwAvu0uL— Vera Hines (@Vera Hines) 1550484960.0
It isn't far-fetched to fear that some of the President's supporters would pursue retribution on their own, influenced by the President's rhetoric.
Trump has repeatedly called for violence and humiliation to his detractors.
In October 2018, devout Trump supporter Cesar Sayoc mailed 13 bombs to various perceived enemies of the President including Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), as well as to CNN.
Trump has frequently deployed harsh rhetoric against Baldwin and SNL on Twitter.
Alec Baldwin, whose dying mediocre career was saved by his terrible impersonation of me on SNL, now says playing me… https://t.co/Ntuy4BRXmJ— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1519988860.0
Watched Saturday Night Live hit job on me.Time to retire the boring and unfunny show. Alec Baldwin portrayal stinks. Media rigging election!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1476616440.0
Just tried watching Saturday Night Live - unwatchable! Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can't get any worse. Sad— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1480828438.0
Watched Saturday Night Live hit job on me.Time to retire the boring and unfunny show. Alec Baldwin portrayal stinks. Media rigging election!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1476616440.0
Like many, I don’t watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) - no longer funny, no talent or charm.… https://t.co/oaM3Pq6Gmy— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1538326665.0
If his rhetoric continues unmitigated, it's only a matter of time before someone listens.