Donald Trump on Sunday proposed a new policy that many critics said is equivalent to legalizing "The Purge."
Trump spoke at a rally in Pennsylvania, where he admitted that his attendees were "falling asleep" at one of his earlier rallies. Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign noted that, as Trump was still speaking at the swing-state event over the weekend, rallygoers placed directly behind the former president started to funnel out of the building.
One comment Trump made drew condemnation on social media, as well as numerous comparisons to The Purge, a film series based on a dystopian world in which the government makes all crimes legal for a 12-hour period.
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As reported by Sebastian Smith, AFP Washington desk chief, "Trump in Erie, PA, says in US 'the police aren’t allowed to do their job.' To stop crime, you need 'one really violent day.' He says: 'One rough hour and I mean real rough, the word would get out and it would end immediately.'"
This didn't go over well.
The Intellectualist said in response that "Trump appears to endorse ‘The Purge’ as policy."
Decision Desk HQ contributor Nick Field chimed in, "Trump literally calling for The Purge."
Political reporter Paul Blest asked, "Did Trump watch the Purge or just independently come up with the same idea?"
Conspiracy theory journalist and expert Mike Rothschild wrote, "The Purge. He's endorsing The Purge."
Reporter Molly Jong-Fast simply replied, "Omg."
University of Texas law professor Lee Kovarsky said, "People confuse telling hard truths with just being a total f------ idiot."
Politico reporter Adam Wren said, "This is roughly the plot of the movie The Purge."
Former presidential speechwriter Dan Cluchey said in response, "No big deal, just one of the two candidates for President calling for a 'really violent day' of nationwide police brutality. Don't bother covering this as a major story, anyone."