In this American Thinker article, James Zumwalt argues that reckless anti-Trump rhetoric can act as a perceived green light for unstable individuals already fantasizing about political violence.
- Zumwalt frames the piece around “For Want of a Nail,” warning that small failures to preserve civility can escalate into national danger.
- He claims recent anti-Trump rhetoric before and after an alleged April 25 assassination attempt shows how violent political language can feed unstable minds.
- The article criticizes Hakeem Jeffries’ “maximum warfare” language as an example of rhetoric the author believes can be misread by extremists.
- Zumwalt also points to James Comey’s alleged “86 47” seashell post as part of a broader pattern of coded or inflammatory messaging.
- Progressive streamer Hasan Piker is criticized for comments about Brian Thompson and Sen. Rick Scott that the author views as justifying or encouraging violence.
- The piece argues that society still censors profanity but often tolerates public language that appears to excuse murder or political violence.
- Zumwalt contends that calling opponents Nazis or using dehumanizing labels corrodes public discourse and increases real-world risk.
- The Colosseum metaphor closes the article: today’s media and political voices, he argues, can become the “thumbs down” signal perceived by would-be assassins.
Read the full story: https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/05/the_wannabe_assassin_s_perceived_call_of_the_colosseum.html
