Ex-President Trump uses campus protests and Capitol riots for political leverage

Amid the recent events at Columbia University and the U.S. Capitol, former President Donald Trump has made controversial comments that have sparked a debate.

Views on Campus Protests

Regarding the clearing of protests at Columbia University, Trump described the police intervention as "a beautiful thing to watch," highlighting its swift resolution in two hours. He has condemned the protests as lawless chaos, positioning himself as a law and order advocate.

Response to U.S. Capitol Insurrection

Meanwhile, in reference to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Trump referred to it as "a beautiful day." This statement has stirred further controversy, especially considering the violent and destructive nature of the event.

Trump's statements have been viewed as self-serving and frequently inaccurate, serving as tools in his ongoing presidential campaign. His portrayal of the campus protests as chaos and the Capitol insurrection as heroic has raised concerns about the accuracy of his narratives.

Manipulation of Events

By attempting to juxtapose these two events, Trump seems to be trying to sanitize his own record as president. As he juggles his New York criminal trial and engages with his campaign, he has attempted to leverage the college protests for political gain, endorsing arrests and even suggesting the use of the National Guard to suppress protests under his watch.