MARCH 16 — Over recent months, despite copious amounts of material to work with ranging from the astonishing to the absurd, I have fought the urge to write anything about Donald Trump fearing that I would add nothing to the debate. He’s one of the most analysed politicians in modern history and certainly the most talked about of this campaign. 

There have been countless articles, news reports, blogs and tweets focusing on this man and among them there has been no shortage of speculation over who is to blame for the rise of this blundering bigot. 

Unsurprisingly, the Republicans blame Obama. Many, including Obama himself, have cited the GOP themselves for creating the environment in which he can thrive. 

Others believe it’s the current status quo of professional politicians saturating the Administration. That public figures saying one thing to the voters and striking contradictory deals behind closed doors has driven people to want a President who cuts through the bulls*** and answers to no lobbyists or bankers. 

Or perhaps it’s the ever encroaching atmosphere of terror that’s pushing people towards a tough President who can take a hard lined approach on the matter.

I myself thought to blame the US media and their fear inducing, over dramatised broadcasting. The airwaves that are perpetually filled with Doomsday-like stories that marginalise minority groups and provoke fear where there should be none make Trump’s extreme policies seem quite a reasonable response. 

You only need to watch FOX News for 10 minutes to see why, to those who trust such channels, Trump begins to look like a viable candidate. After all, if you believe the world and everyone in it is trying to wage war on America then what other option do you have?

All of these are reasonable theories and all worthy of debate, however, following the string of violent acts and anti-social behaviour that has been growing at Trump’s rallies perhaps we’re looking for our explanation in the wrong places. Maybe we should stop looking to societal reasons for excuses and start looking to the people themselves.

Trump has courted some of the most volatile campaign rallies seen in recent history with the last few days proving to be the pinnacle of the violent trend. Clashes at both his St Louis & Chicago rallies resulted in numerous arrests following scuffles in the crowd and racially charged chants from Trump supporters. This comes just days after a series of aggressive instances at Trump rallies throughout the States. 

In North Carolina, Rakeem Jones, a peaceful protester attending the Trump rally, was viciously punched in the face as he was escorted out by security. His attacker, a 78-year-old Trump supporter, made clear that he had no regrets when he declared later in an interview that “I liked it. Knocking the hell out of that big mouth.”  “Yes, he deserved it”, was his response to the interviewer, “The next time we see him, we might have to kill him.”

Clearly a man who is comfortable with his violent views of the world, but he is sadly not alone. This is all part of a trend of escalating violence and intolerance that has been pervading Trump’s events from Day One. 

By looking for sociological reasons and excuses for this behaviour, we in part seek to absolve the perpetrators of any responsibility for their actions. Regardless of societal influences or media propaganda, no amount of outside pressures should compel you to throw punches or spit on people. In that instance, the blame lies squarely at your own feet.

Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a town hall campaign event in Hickory, North Carolina. March 14, 2016. — Reuters pic

I grant that this is a special time for American politics; that many elements have converged to create the perfect storm in which Donald Trump can thrive. And yes, people’s dissatisfaction with the Establishment may well have left them more receptive to his latest controversial sound bite, but this escalation of hostility and intolerance cannot be chalked up to dissatisfaction alone.

Trump’s running has shown the world a stark and scary underbelly of the American people; one that the majority of Americans are ashamed to be associated with but a very real one all the same.

While political, economic and social tensions have enabled this inflammatory rhetoric, is it not possible that these hateful, prejudiced people have always been there on the margins? The only difference being that Donald Trump is now giving an audible voice to their hate speech. They can now feel vindicated in their views as someone has been ignorant enough to proudly state them on the world stage. 

It was easy to disregard Trump when he announced his candidacy back in June last year. We laughed in the firm belief that no one was unstable enough to agree with his absurd ramblings. It seems, however, that not only do some people agree but we’ve seen an exponential swelling in his popularity and now find ourselves facing the disconcerting prospect that this man could in fact become the next President of the United States. Make no mistake, his meteoric rise has not been from luck but from the unwavering support of his followers.    

So while his asinine comments and ill-conceived statements are troubling, it is the cheers of approval, the stadiums full of followers and the unflinching support he receives for them that are truly terrifying.

Regardless of your thoughts on Donald Trump, he’s nothing without his supporters. And it will be those same people who may just put him in the White House.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.