Former President Donald Trump's recent comments at an Erie, Pa. rally have sparked debates on social media, with some drawing parallels to the horror film series, 'The Purge.'
- Oct 1, 2024
AceShowbiz - Speaking at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump, 78, stirred controversy with his stark proposal to eliminate crime in the United States in just one day. Trump suggested that "one real rough, nasty" and "violent" day could effectively end rampant crime, a concern he believes is "at a level we've never seen." He emphasized, "We have to let police do their job, [even] if they have to be extraordinarily rough."
According to Trump, the solution to the rising thefts and shoplifting in 2024, particularly from stores where people are reportedly stealing items as large as air conditioners and refrigerators, lies in severe police action.
"If you had one day, like one real, rough, nasty day … If you had one really violent day," Trump stated, "One rough hour - and I mean real rough - the word will get out and it will end immediately, you know? It will end immediately."
These comments led to a flurry of reactions on X (formerly Twitter), with many users pointing out similarities to "The Purge" film series, where all crime is legal for one night each year. "The way he watched The Purge and sat there like you know what… we should try this," one X user remarked. Another noted, "He's just describing the premise of The Purge."
In the past, the film's advertisements had parallels with Trump's campaign commercials, pushing the idea, "I purge to keep my country great." Back in 2016, the third film in the franchise, "The Purge: Election Year," was released, featuring the tagline "Keep America Great," which echoed Trump's campaign slogan.
When asked about Trump's recent comments, a campaign official clarified that he was "clearly just floating in jest," according to Politico. Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign communications director, stated, "President Trump has always been the law and order President and he continues to reiterate the importance of enforcing existing laws."
Amid the controversy, it's crucial to note that in 2023, America saw one of its lowest violent crime rates in 50 years. However, in 2024, shoplifting rates have been on the rise, challenging law enforcement agencies to adapt to changing crime dynamics. The debate around Trump's comments underscores the ongoing national conversation about the most effective and ethical approaches to crime reduction and policing.