Sunny Hostin On Trump’s Side For First Time 

“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin condemned the growing support for violence against Republican nominee Donald Trump on Monday following a second assassination attempt targeting the former president.

The suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly aiming an AK-47-style weapon at Trump while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Hostin referenced a June 24 poll by University of Chicago political scientist Robert Pape, which revealed that 10% of American adults believe “the use of force is justified” to prevent Trump from being reelected.

“I was just reading this morning, a recent University of Chicago poll examines support for political violence in the United States. And there is more support for violence today against Trump and others,” Hostin stated. “Against Trump, 10% of American adults think it’s okay, and 26 million adults support violence to prevent Trump from regaining the presidency. More than 30,000 of those own guns, and almost 80% have access to internet organizational tools. That’s despicable, what do we do?”

Sunny Hostin said the number of Americans supporting violent acts against Trump is "despicable" pic.twitter.com/12lgnYAFWi

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 16, 2024

Pape wrote in a July 14 op-ed for the Boston Globe that he was “immediately concerned” by his findings, noting that the 10% who support violence against Trump are “politically active” and possess “the capacity for violence.” He also pointed out that 7% of American adults would engage in political violence to restore Trump to the White House.

Co-host Sara Haines attributed the rise in political violence to the normalization of “political rhetoric” and “hate speech.” Co-host Ana Navarro echoed the panel’s condemnation of political violence, which she said has become a significant part of American culture.

Hostin criticized Americans’ alleged “fascination with guns” for contributing to these violent acts against Trump and other political figures.

The first assassination attempt occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet struck Trump in the upper portion of his right ear after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight rounds into the crowd. This incident prompted an investigation into the Secret Service’s handling of the situation, ultimately leading to the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on July 23.

At least five Secret Service members were placed on leave due to their handling of the assassination attempt.