A chilling new study released by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) has uncovered a dangerous and escalating trend: the normalization — and even glamorization — of political violence, particularly from voices on the left.
Dubbed “assassination culture” by NCRI researchers, this phenomenon reflects a growing online movement in which the idea of politically motivated murder is not only tolerated but celebrated. The report cites the December 2024 assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as a disturbing flashpoint, after which his alleged killer, Luigi Mangione, was transformed into a folk hero on social media.
This isn’t happening in the shadows. The NCRI identified mainstream progressive platforms like BlueSky as hubs for this dangerous ideology, where public figures — most notably former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk — are frequently portrayed as deserving targets of violence. Memes, viral posts, and online discussions glamorize the idea of retribution against perceived oppressors, and the line between hyperbole and real-world threat continues to blur.
The numbers are staggering. According to NCRI’s survey, 38% of U.S. adults considered the assassination of Trump at least “somewhat justified.” Among left-leaning respondents, that figure climbed to an alarming 55%.
When Murder Becomes a Movement -This chart reveals just how far the Overton window has shifted. A majority of left-leaning respondents (55%) believe that the assassination of Donald Trump would be at least somewhat justified. Shockingly, 47% say the same about Elon Musk — a private citizen and CEO. Nearly half of an entire political demographic is entertaining justified political murder. And this isn't random noise — these numbers are grounded in academic polling and digital behavior tracking by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI).
Let that sink in: more than half of left-leaning Americans surveyed believed that political murder — in a democracy — could be justified.
The implications are dire. When violence becomes a meme, a joke, or a moral crusade, it doesn’t stay online. The NCRI’s warning is clear: this isn’t fringe anymore. The boundaries of political discourse are dissolving, and with them, the social contract that keeps our democracy intact.
This rise in “assassination culture” doesn’t just threaten public figures — it erodes the foundation of civil society. Once violence is normalized in the pursuit of political goals, every citizen becomes a potential target, and every disagreement becomes a potential battlefield.
Since early 2025, Tesla has experienced a significant increase in vandalism and violent incidents targeting its vehicles and dealerships, both in the United States and internationally. In the U.S., incidents include:
Colorado: The Loveland Tesla dealership was targeted multiple times, including an arson attempt on March 8, 2025, marking the fifth incident at this location alone.
Oregon: On March 6, 2025, a Tesla dealership in Tigard was struck by gunfire, with at least seven shots fired, damaging three vehicles and windows.
Nevada: At least five Teslas were damaged in Las Vegas after an individual set cars on fire and fired gunshots at a Tesla facility.
It’s time to reassert moral clarity. Condemning political violence should be a universal standard, not a partisan stance. Whether it comes from the left, the right, or anywhere in between, the use of violence as a tool for political change must be unequivocally rejected.
We are at a crossroads. If we continue to tolerate — or worse, encourage — this kind of rhetoric, we risk waking up in a country where bullets speak louder than ballots.
Chris O'Neil - Trash Media Group © 2025
