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Hate Speech and Political Violence: Far-Right Rhetoric from the Tea Party to the Insurrection
How did the United States descend into crisis, with institutions frayed, political violence mounting, and democracy itself in peril? This groundbreaking book pinpoints the role of the Tea Party, identifying how its extremist narratives paved the way for the rise of Donald Trump, his MAGA movement, and the January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol.
Brigitte L. Nacos, Yaeli Bloch-Elkon, and Robert Y. Shapiro trace the escalation of a strain of extremist rhetoric in right-wing political discourse after the inauguration of Barack Obama. Drawing on extensive and in-depth analysis of political communication in both traditional media and online spaces, they demonstrate how the dominant rhetorical styles of the Trump era were pioneered by the Tea Party. A backlash to the election of the first Black president, this reactionary social movement deployed violent language and spread anti-Obama paranoia, with the assistance of media insiders, GOP leaders, and conservative advocacy groups. Donald Trump rose to political prominence by hitching himself to the “birther” racist conspiracy theory, espoused by many Tea Partiers, and drew from their aggressive and hyperpartisan repertoire. Ultimately, this book shows, the increasingly violent rhetoric of right-wing extremists spilled over into real-world political violence. Revealing the path the Tea Party blazed to Trump and the insurrectionists, Hate Speech and Political Violence provides timely new insights into the threats facing American democracy.
Brigitte L. Nacos, Yaeli Bloch-Elkon, and Robert Y. Shapiro trace the escalation of a strain of extremist rhetoric in right-wing political discourse after the inauguration of Barack Obama. Drawing on extensive and in-depth analysis of political communication in both traditional media and online spaces, they demonstrate how the dominant rhetorical styles of the Trump era were pioneered by the Tea Party. A backlash to the election of the first Black president, this reactionary social movement deployed violent language and spread anti-Obama paranoia, with the assistance of media insiders, GOP leaders, and conservative advocacy groups. Donald Trump rose to political prominence by hitching himself to the “birther” racist conspiracy theory, espoused by many Tea Partiers, and drew from their aggressive and hyperpartisan repertoire. Ultimately, this book shows, the increasingly violent rhetoric of right-wing extremists spilled over into real-world political violence. Revealing the path the Tea Party blazed to Trump and the insurrectionists, Hate Speech and Political Violence provides timely new insights into the threats facing American democracy.
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2024
About the author
Brigitte L. Nacos
9 books1 followerBrigitte Lebens Nacos (born 1936) is an Adjunct Professor in political science at Columbia University.[1] She has written on the news media, the politics of Germany, and terrorism.
She is a joint author of a paper, "Prevention of Terrorism in Post-9/11 America" which was delivered at the Summer 2006 meeting of the American Political Science Association; the paper addresses the correlation between increases in terrorism alert levels and the popularity of U.S. President George W. Bush. Referring to her study of terrorism alerts, media coverage, and Bush's popularity, journalist Matthew Stannard wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle that "The media will repeat the president's remarks. Public fear of terrorism will increase. And the president's poll numbers will rise."
She is a joint author of a paper, "Prevention of Terrorism in Post-9/11 America" which was delivered at the Summer 2006 meeting of the American Political Science Association; the paper addresses the correlation between increases in terrorism alert levels and the popularity of U.S. President George W. Bush. Referring to her study of terrorism alerts, media coverage, and Bush's popularity, journalist Matthew Stannard wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle that "The media will repeat the president's remarks. Public fear of terrorism will increase. And the president's poll numbers will rise."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 4, 2026
After reading *Hate Speech and Political Violence*, I gained a deeper understanding of how the United States reached a point where political divisions are so pronounced, trust in institutions has eroded, and concerns about political violence have grown.
The authors argue that many of the ideas, tactics, and grievances that contributed to Donald Trump's rise were already present in the Tea Party movement that emerged following Barack Obama's election. Through their analysis of political speeches, media coverage, and online communication, they demonstrate how conspiracy theories, fear-based messaging, and increasingly hostile political rhetoric became more widespread during this period. According to the authors, Trump effectively capitalized on these sentiments, including false claims about Obama, to build his political profile and expand his support.
One of the book's most compelling arguments is its examination of the backlash to the election of the nation's first Black president. The authors explain how false claims about Obama, including the racist "birther" conspiracy theory, spread through segments of the media and political landscape. They contend that Trump gained national political attention by promoting these claims and later drew upon many of the same themes and grievances that energized the Tea Party movement.
What stood out to me most was the authors' emphasis on the power of language. They demonstrate how the repeated use of extreme political rhetoric can shape public attitudes and foster an environment in which political opponents are viewed as enemies rather than fellow citizens. The authors argue that this climate contributed to the conditions that ultimately culminated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Overall, I found the book informative, thoroughly researched, and highly relevant to understanding today's political climate. While some readers may disagree with certain conclusions, the authors present a compelling analysis of the relationship between political rhetoric, misinformation, and extremism in American democracy. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in contemporary American politics, political communication, or the factors that have shaped the nation's current political divisions. It is an engaging, thought-provoking, and timely read that encourages readers to think critically about the health of democratic institutions and civic discourse.
The authors argue that many of the ideas, tactics, and grievances that contributed to Donald Trump's rise were already present in the Tea Party movement that emerged following Barack Obama's election. Through their analysis of political speeches, media coverage, and online communication, they demonstrate how conspiracy theories, fear-based messaging, and increasingly hostile political rhetoric became more widespread during this period. According to the authors, Trump effectively capitalized on these sentiments, including false claims about Obama, to build his political profile and expand his support.
One of the book's most compelling arguments is its examination of the backlash to the election of the nation's first Black president. The authors explain how false claims about Obama, including the racist "birther" conspiracy theory, spread through segments of the media and political landscape. They contend that Trump gained national political attention by promoting these claims and later drew upon many of the same themes and grievances that energized the Tea Party movement.
What stood out to me most was the authors' emphasis on the power of language. They demonstrate how the repeated use of extreme political rhetoric can shape public attitudes and foster an environment in which political opponents are viewed as enemies rather than fellow citizens. The authors argue that this climate contributed to the conditions that ultimately culminated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Overall, I found the book informative, thoroughly researched, and highly relevant to understanding today's political climate. While some readers may disagree with certain conclusions, the authors present a compelling analysis of the relationship between political rhetoric, misinformation, and extremism in American democracy. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in contemporary American politics, political communication, or the factors that have shaped the nation's current political divisions. It is an engaging, thought-provoking, and timely read that encourages readers to think critically about the health of democratic institutions and civic discourse.
February 28, 2024
Hate Speech and Political Violence, Bridgette L. Nacos, Yaeli Bloch-Ekos , Robert Y. Shapiro [Columbia University Press, 2024].
An academic—though accessible—analysis of inflammatory political rhetoric and hate speech in the age of the Tea Party and Trump, its origins in Goldwater’s New Right movement of the 1960s, and its culmination in the January 6th siege of the U.S. capitol.
An academic—though accessible—analysis of inflammatory political rhetoric and hate speech in the age of the Tea Party and Trump, its origins in Goldwater’s New Right movement of the 1960s, and its culmination in the January 6th siege of the U.S. capitol.
July 22, 2024
This book is very academic. It's topic led me to pick it up, but it was a slow, dense read. I think this book would be much more suitable to an academic rather than a casual reader.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews