As a lifelong film enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of cinema and its reflection of society, I find it alarming to see the parallels between President Trump’s latest comments and the premise of “The Purge” franchise. It’s disheartening that our leaders are even suggesting such a concept, let alone using it as a solution for crime reduction.
Throughout his presidential campaign, he’s garnered attention for various reasons, but one particularly alarming comment was made at his rally on Sunday. He proposed that crime in the country could be eliminated with “a single extremely violent day.” Not surprisingly, social media swiftly responded and soon enough, the comment became a trending topic on Twitter.
At a rally held in Pennsylvania, Trump delivered a speech that often touched on contentious topics concerning the United States today, tying them to migration and his administration. A statement made by him during this gathering has sparked debate among many listeners, with some interpreting it as a proposal for “The Purge” to become a reality. In essence, Trump said:
The crime rate is higher than ever before, spreading rapidly. It seems to be increasing day by day. We need to give the police the freedom to perform their duties effectively, and in some instances, they may need to use unconventional methods.
“The liberal left is advocating for significant changes in policing, which some people interpret as a desire to dismantle the police force. This perspective raises concerns about the potential impact on our country, similar to how one might worry about the consequences of a particularly challenging day at a pharmacy.
On that occasion, Trump didn’t just mention his concept of a “one really violent day” once; later on, he posed a question to his enthusiastic audience about the potential consequences of such an event. Later still, he mused aloud about swiftly eradicating crime by means of “one tough hour, and I mean truly rough,” going so far as to suggest that Congressman Mike Kelly could manage it, hinting at extreme measures.
The Purge Began Trending in Response to Trump’s Comments
2013 saw the launch of a chilling horror series for Blumhouse with “The Purge,” portraying a grim future society where an annual night allows all crimes, even murder, without repercussions. The premise of “the purge” is presented as a method to decrease national crime rates, yet serves another purpose: it’s a means of population control, with the underprivileged often targeted during this one terrifying night. Since then, the “The Purge” franchise has produced four sequels and a TV show, with the latest, “The Forever Purge,” focusing on the topic of immigration.
Reading about the proposed strategy by Trump that seems strikingly similar to past approaches, I couldn’t help but share my skepticism on social media with others. Here are a few reactions I came across:
Trump has a history of employing questionable film references while campaigning, such as making “Purge”-like statements and praising Hannibal Lecter as a “wonderful man.” Whether these tactics will aid the ex-President Trump in returning to the White House by November’s election is something that many are hoping won’t occur. However, given the bizarre and unpredictable nature of our current world, it’s challenging to completely rule out such possibilities.
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2024-09-30 22:01