成人X站

KTTH OPINION

Rantz: After assassination attempt, Ashley Nerbovig of The Stranger promoted political violence against Donald Trump

Jul 14, 2024, 4:55 PM | Updated: Jul 16, 2024, 6:38 pm

Photo: An edition of The Stranger, a newspaper in Seattle....

An edition of The Stranger, a newspaper in Seattle. (Photo courtesy of Jason Rantz, KTTH)

(Photo courtesy of Jason Rantz, KTTH)

In a shocking and disturbing display of callous, reckless, hyper-partisan and dangerous rhetoric, Ashley Nerbovig of The Stranger posted, “make america aim again” in response to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. That the Stranger may tolerate this is, unfortunately, not surprising.

After the post was screenshot and shared, Nerbovig first deleted the disturbing comment. Then she took her entire X account offline. Nerbovig’s author’s page was also removed from the Stranger’s website and a representative from the blog did not respond to a request for comment to explain why. No matter how she tries to erase what she said, Nerbovig should not escape criticism for such a ghastly post.

Afterward, the Stranger responded with a statement on X condemning political violence. It’s unclear if they would have without Nerbovig’s initial post. This raises significant questions about the continuing deterioration of the culture within that publication and the broader media landscape.

How could Ashley Nervobig of The Stranger post such a vile message?

Even the most vocal opponents of Trump, including those who have trafficked in dangerous rhetoric, came together to denounce political violence. They understood the seriousness of the moment. But not Ashley Nerbovig. She couldn’t be bothered to keep her bloodlust to herself.

Nerbovig鈥檚 X post was not just in poor taste; it was a glaring endorsement of political violence. This kind of rhetoric is not only irresponsible but shows a shockingly and appalling lack of judgment. In a time when tensions are high and division runs deep, such statements can deepen societal rifts and lead to more violence. The fact that a journalist, someone who should adhere to principles of basic responsibility, made this comment is particularly alarming.

Following the backlash, The Stranger issued a statement saying, “The Stranger condemns political violence in the strongest possible terms. Period.”

While this response is necessary, it appears to be an attempt at damage control rather than a genuine condemnation. The question remains: how did such a toxic mindset develop within their ranks? This incident reflects poorly not just on Nerbovig but on the editorial standards and culture of The Stranger as a whole.

More from Jason Rantz: After failed Donald Trump assassination attempt, will you stop claiming he鈥檚 Hitler?

Desperate to be edgy

We get it: The Stranger staff is progressive to a fault. They use vulgarity in their stories because they think it makes them come off as edgy. They’re the cool kids, the anti-establishment (though their writers end up at The Seattle Times).

But they also peddle in such remarkable hate that the powers that be should not feel comfortable with someone like Nerbovig promoting such rhetoric.

Even if we were to give Nerbovig the benefit of the doubt — which neither she nor the staff of the Stranger would dare give anyone else, especially conservative voices — and say she did this as a childish joke before truly understanding the implications of what happened, it shows a remarkable lack of maturity.

More from Jason Rantz: Seattle teacher has unhinged freakout in screed over Donald Trump

Media double stand standard after Ashley Nerbovig post about Donald Trump

This incident also highlights the double standard in media.

Imagine if a conservative journalist had tweeted something similar about a Democratic figure. The outrage would be immediate and relentless, with calls for the journalist’s firing and public apologies.

When David Volodzko (no, he was not defending Hitler, which was claimed by bad faith partisans), it generated media interest and criticism from The Stranger. Afterward, The Seattle Times . Similarly, partisans claimed former KOMO reporter Jonathan Choe created “white supremacist propaganda,” which led to his firing. The Stranger was by Choe’s content.

Yet, in the case of Nerbovig, the response has been muted. Certainly, the folks at the Stranger haven’t had anything public to say yet.

That local media outlets have spread virulently antisemitic drivel in columns or television reports and use the airwaves for press release reporting if it benefits a liberal cause, perhaps we shouldn’t be shocked. Some are even for the failed assassination attempt against him.

More from Jason Rantz: Seattle media bias on full display as Fox 13 promotes activists blocking traffic

The rhetoric is dangerous

Nerbovig鈥檚 tweet and the subsequent fallout also underscore the power of social media in shaping public discourse. Platforms like X amplify voices and can spread messages, good or bad, like wildfire.

There were a lot of distasteful posts and reposts by Seattle and area voters on the Left. And, similarly disgusting, many people on the Right spread baseless conspiracy theories about the failed assassin. But when either the media, politicians or talking heads participate, the rhetoric is further legitimized and likely to be amplified.

This incident serves as a reminder that journalists and public figures must exercise caution and responsibility when using these platforms. Words have consequences, and in the digital age, those consequences are magnified.

More from Jason Rantz:听Pramila Jayapal鈥檚 dangerous rhetoric could incite violence

Listen to 鈥淭he Jason Rantz Show鈥 on weekday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the听podcast here. Follow Jason on听,听, and听.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm to The Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

KTTH Opinion

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Amazon is having a bad week!

Amazon screwed up with their tariff cost tag and had a bad week because of it. Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcast

3 hours ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: What is the right type of deodorant?

If the 鈥渉ealthy鈥 deodorant doesn鈥檛 work鈥 at all鈥 maybe we shouldn鈥檛 wear any at all? It鈥檚 a sweaty Double Shot. Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcast Listen to the Jake and Spike Show every weekday from 12pm […]

23 hours ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Is the Seattle Police Department using AI?

A suspicious complaint against an SPD cop has people wondering if the city is using AI to find policy violations. Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcast

1 day ago

This undated photo provided by Murray Osorio PLLC shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (Photo: Murray Osorio...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Isn鈥檛 it weird how quickly Democrats abandoned Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

Suddenly, Democrats have stopped obsessing over Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Why? They told us democracy and due process are on the line!

1 day ago

Washington Democrats expanded a racist housing reparations program that explicitly hands out zero-i...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Washington Democrats expand racist housing reparations program based on skin color

Washington's expanded housing program offers loans based on skin color, raising concerns about fairness and discrimination.

1 day ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Amazon with a not so Prime move

Amazon… had a bad day. And their idea to put a tariff tag on items? Beyond foolish. Enjoy a Double Shot鈽曗槙 Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcast Listen to the Jake and Spike Show every weekday from […]

2 days ago

Rantz: After assassination attempt, Ashley Nerbovig of The Stranger promoted political violence against Donald Trump