Donald Trump downplayed the violence at his rallies, in spite of Jake Tapper's recounting of all of the times he's called for it.
When asked by Tapper whether Trump has had anything to do with the violent response to protesters at his rallies, Trump said he truly hoped not, and then went on to describe the "incredible anger" people have, while denying any knowledge of violent acts at his rallies, despite the reports of his campaign manager putting his hands on a Breitbart News reporter and a supporter sucker-punching a peaceful protester Wednesday.
When Tapper confronted Trump with his own words at rallies where he has said people should have the "crap beaten out of them" and more, Trump replied, "We have some protesters who are bad dudes, they have done bad things. They are swinging, they are really dangerous and they get in there and they start hitting people."
This is, of course, a complete lie. No protester has hit anyone at one of these rallies. Indeed, it's exactly the opposite.
Trump added, "And we had a couple big, strong, powerful guys doing damage to people, not only the loudness, the loudness I don't mind. But doing serious damage. And if they've got to be taken out, to be honest, I mean, we have to run something."
