MSNBC host Joy Reid made headlines this week after claiming that Democratic voters are eager to see someone stand up to former President Donald Trump with more than just forceful rhetoric, despite growing calls from both Republicans and Democrats to tone down political tensions following recent assassination attempts against Trump.

LOS ANGELES, CA. January 26, 2023: Joy-Ann Reid at the premiere for “The 1619 Project” at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Picture: Paul Smith-Featureflash

Reid made the remarks during a panel discussion on her network, suggesting that the Democratic base would rather see someone engage in a metaphorical “fistfight” with Trump. “Democrats want to see someone get up there and give a knuckle sandwich to Donald Trump,” she said during the segment.

Reid’s comments followed a discussion on the debate performance of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who squared off against Senator J.D. Vance in a vice-presidential debate.

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She acknowledged that Walz’s approach in the debate was designed for a “small, narrow group” of swing voters who are looking for more substance from candidates. “Tim Walz was very detailed and he spoke the way a governor speaks about really specific issues like gun violence, like health care,” she added, describing Walz as “substantive and knowledgeable.”

However, Reid contrasted that with what she believes the Democratic base is looking for, implying they would prefer a more combative approach. “I don’t think that small, narrow group of people wanted to see a fistfight,” Reid said. “And so, I think that the people who want the fistfight are the base of the Democratic Party.”

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She went on to explain that while the base may want more fiery rhetoric, the debate performance was aimed at swaying swing voters. “Tim Walz gave you that specificity that I think is going to get those people to feel more comfortable” voting for the Democratic ticket, Reid continued.

Despite her focus on political strategy, Reid’s use of violent imagery has sparked backlash, especially in light of recent threats against Trump.

Conservative voices on social media condemned her remarks as inflammatory.

The popular account Libs of TikTok posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “2 assassination attempts and Iran plotting to try to get Trump and Democrats are still calling for violence.”

Conservative commentator Paul Szypula added, “Joy Reid is an angry person filled with hate. She needs help.”

Similarly, Libby Emmons, editor-in-chief of The Post Millennial, criticized Reid, stating, “This is a call for political violence.”

Heavy metal singer and conservative political commentator Phil Labonte also weighed in, saying, “there have been two attempts on Donald Trump’s life in the past three months.”

Reid’s comments come at a time when the political climate in the U.S. remains intensely divided, and her remarks have only added fuel to the fire.

As both sides call for a reduction in inflammatory rhetoric, the debate over political discourse and the limits of free speech continues to take center stage.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign remains focused on the upcoming election, as threats against the former president have raised concerns over his safety on the campaign trail.

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