Donald Trump wants to talk about revenge, and neither Sean Hannity nor Dr. Phil can stop him.
Both tried.
It is fresh his historic guilty verdict Trump’s public comments in New York, including interviews with both men, have focused more on the idea of ”revenge” on his enemies if he returns to the White House.
It’s rhetoric fueled by Trump’s obsession with President Joe Biden and Democrats orchestrating a series of legal challenges to derail his presidential campaign — a theory of political persecution unsupported by facts.
On May 31, the New York jury was unanimous He found Trump guilty on 34 counts In connection with falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment he made to an adult movie star during the 2016 election. The Biden administration had nothing to do with the case.
But for Trump, it’s all politics, and revenge may be necessary.
“Well, revenge takes time, I’ll say that,” Trump said during an interview with Dr. Phil on Thursday. “And sometimes revenge is justified, Phil, I have to be honest. Sometimes it can be.”
trump, His campaign did not respond to a request for comment and has conducted at least five interviews since his guilty verdict. In all five, he talked about possible revenge.
“I think there should be concern,” said attorney Ty Cobb, who served as White House counsel during the Trump administration. “From 30,000 feet, I see that Trump is angrier now that he’s been convicted.”
The Dr. Phil interview came a day after Trump had a sit-down with Hannity, at times arguing over the idea of revenge.
Asked by the Fox News host about those who say he would use his administration to retaliate, Trump said “they’re wrong,” but in the same breath laid out the potential possibilities.
“Look, when this election is over, based on what they’ve done, I’ll have every right to go after them,” Trump said. “And it’s very easy because it’s Joe Biden and you see all the crimes, all the money coming into the family and into it, money coming from China and Russia and Ukraine.”
Hannity tried to talk Trump out of retaliation, at one point interrupting him and encouraging him to say that political retaliation “must stop.”
Dr. Phil also tried to tell Trump that if he wins in November, he won’t retaliate.
“It’s a big deal, and I’ve been very firm in saying, ‘Look, this is not going to help this country,'” Dr. Phil told CNN From an interview with Trump.
Trump has made similar comments in other interviews and public appearances.
Tuesday, one interview With conservative-leaning Newsmax, Trump appeared to have hinted at the possibility of imprisoning political opponents if re-elected.
“So, you know, this is a terrible, terrible path that they’re taking us down, and it’s probably going to have to happen to them,” Trump said.
“Does that mean the next president is doing it to them? That’s really the question,” he added.
He also suggested that “breaking pointto the public if sentenced to prison or house arrest pending sentencing, which is set for July 11.
Seeking revenge on political enemies is nothing new for Trump or his supporters.
While still president in 2020, Trump took to social media and said, “Where are all the arrests?” echoing criticism from Attorney General William Barr’s supporters that Trump has not jailed the likes of Biden, former President Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton for wrongdoing by special counsel Robert Mueller in connection with the Russia investigation.
Trump also chanted “lock her up” during his 2016 campaign against Clinton and promised supporters he would jail the former secretary of state if elected. Trump recently denied ever saying “shut it up,” despite numerous videos of him saying so throughout the 2016 election.
Trump often portrays his calls for retaliation as something he does on behalf of all his supporters.
“I know a lot of Republicans those who want revengeTrump told NBC News at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday. “They want to do it. We will see what will happen.”
He told a crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2023 that “for those who have erred and betrayed, I take your punishment.” In January, he said on Fox News that if elected he would “have no time to retaliate” — comments that came hours after he sent another fundraising email to supporters “I AM YOUR REVENGE.”
But as the full weight of his legal troubles became apparent this year — especially after his guilty verdict — that vindictive language took center stage.
“Even Hannity recognized that this was dangerous territory and tried to drag him in,” said Cobb, who helped coordinate the domestic response to Mueller’s Russia probe while in the White House. “Trump will be none of these”
Cobb said he believes the country’s institutions will stand down if Trump seeks an overtly politically motivated retaliation, but it’s a situation fraught with danger.
“I think the checks and balances are adequate to resist those instincts because it has to force people to act on them,” he said.
For Trump’s political base, a new focus on revenge against political opponents is gaining support.
“I agree with him,” said Trump supporter Adam Radogna, 35, of Cleveland. “Obviously, there is nothing against the law. But he’s just saying, ‘hey, we’re going after you because you’re going after me.'”
Parker Shonts, a 22-year-old Trump supporter from Fowlerville, Michigan, said it’s about “responsibility.”
“I’d say ‘revenge’ is a campaign buzzword, but ‘responsibility’ seems more appropriate,” he said.
Calls for retaliation among Trump supporters rose again Thursday when a federal judge ordered former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. He was reported to prison on July 1 To begin a four-month prison sentence for defying the calls of the January 6 committee. The news angered Trump supporters and prompted Bannon to issue direct threats.
“Don’t pray for me. Pray for my enemies,” Bannon said Thursday. “They’re the ones who need it.”
In response to Bannon’s prison sentence, Trump wrote on Truth Social that members of the January 6th Committee should be indicted.
“CHAPGE THE UNSELECTED J6 COMMITTEE FOR UNUSUALLY DELETING AND DESTROYING ALL THEIR ‘FINDS’!” Trump wrote.