Shocking Study: Left Embracing ‘Assassination Culture,’ Some See Trump’s Death As ‘Somewhat Justified’

A disheartening number of people in general, but notably more on the left side of the political spectrum, are embracing an "assassination culture" that suggests there is justification for violence against political opponents, a new study finds.

Not that a study was necessary based on the number of Tesla dealership firebombings and as actual attempts on President Trump's life have borne out.

That said, Rutgers University’s Network Contagion Research Institute, or NCRI, has just released a report indicating that "violence targeting Donald Trump and Elon Musk is becoming increasingly normalized."

NCRI founder Joel Finkelstein, who is a psychologist and neuroscientist, authored the study.

"What was formerly taboo culturally has become acceptable," Finkelstein told Fox News Digital. "We are seeing a clear shift – glorification, increased attempts, and changing norms – all converging into what we define as ‘assassination culture.’"

The study noted that acceptance of political violence has surged since the nearly fatal attempt on Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania, this past summer. But it also points out the glorification of Luigi Mangione, who stalked and murdered UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in December, has shaped how the public is increasingly justifying violence.

🚨 JUST IN: California leftists have introduced the “Luigi Mangione Act,” which is meant to further regulate health insurance companies

Democrats named this act after a literal COLD BLOODED MURDERER.

They’re GLORIFYING assassinations in the street.

California is very, very… pic.twitter.com/Xrjn6aOWfg
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 28, 2025

The numbers coming out of the NCRI study are shocking and, quite frankly, not a good reflection on humanity as a whole. Those feeling the outright murders of President Trump and DOGE Chief Elon Musk are acceptable have surged on the left.

"A broader 'assassination culture' appears to be emerging within segments of the U.S. public on the extreme left, with expanding targets now including figures such as Donald Trump and Elon Musk," the non-profit organization writes.

"It’s not just Luigi anymore," Finkelstein added in his talk with Fox News Digital. "We're seeing an expansion: Trump, Musk, and others are now being openly discussed as legitimate targets, often cloaked in meme culture and gamified online dialogue."

How much of an expansion?

Thirty-one percent of respondents feel taking out Musk is at least "somewhat justified," while another 38 percent feel the same about the President.

Those overall numbers are unacceptably high. And they are being bolstered by an ideology on the left that seems perfectly content to see people they oppose politically being removed from the conversation.

Among left-leaning respondents, those finding justification for the outright murder of Musk and Trump rise significantly - 48 and 55 percent, respectively.

This is absolutely absurd.Who thinks this is normal? https://t.co/aNHUhOzWhp
— Erik Bryant (@bryantsgtg) April 7, 2025

The study goes on to reveal that 40 percent of those surveyed feel violence against Tesla dealerships is an acceptable form of protest, with that number shooting up to 58 percent for those on the left side of the aisle.

The organization also points out that these calls for violence and promulgation of extreme ideology are rampant on the social media platform Bluesky, the preferred choice of progressives.

This past weekend, a Florida man was arrested for posting multiple threats against President Donald Trump. He posted on Facebook about his desire to "shoot Trump."

President Trump has already been the target of two significant assassination attempts.

The first occurred during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024, where he was shot and wounded. Corey Comperatore, a retired volunteer fire chief, was killed in the assassination attempt as he protected his wife and daughter, and two other men were injured.

The second attempt happened in September 2024 at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where a man, Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended after being spotted with a rifle near the golf course. He had been waiting in position for hours before being detected by authorities.

Secret Service and Homeland Security need to look a little closer at the NCRI study.

Editor's Note: This article was updated post-publication for clarity.

Editor's Note: Leftist domestic terrorists are fire-bombing Tesla dealerships and harassing owners across the country. They must face justice.

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