His followers disagree, and his dog whistles and comments have an effect. You have to know this and recognize how it leads to violence. Also, he wasn’t quoted out of context, he literally said that Cheney should have guns pointed at her and be shot at.

That was what was reported and people have reacted appropriately, saying it is only likely to incite violence. Being intellectually honest does not mean downplaying or “sanesplaining” Trump’s violent rhetoric. To do so would only legitimize him further.

Also, I don’t see how taking a stand against him drives people towards him. That’s MAGA logic, where people who already support him claim that the “hatred” against him somehow legitimizes their vote.

They’ve also said they “don’t care” that Trump is a wannabe dictator, a convicted felon, a serial adulterer, a serial sex offender, a Russian collaborator, a traitor, and someone who compromised national security, etc. And yet, we keep blaming Dems and the left for “not reaching them.”