Markwayne Mullin recounted that a reporter fatally shot a former congressman in 1890, adding there might be less "fake news ... if we could still handle our differences that way."

Summary

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) posted a video suggesting journalists would report “less false stories” if violence were still used to resolve disputes.

He referenced the 1890 Capitol shooting of Rep. William Taulbee by reporter Charles Kincaid, who was acquitted.

After backlash, Mullin claimed he was joking and criticized The Oklahoman for covering the story.

A former MMA fighter, Mullin had previously threatened a union leader in a Senate hearing. Critics say his remarks echo Trump’s escalating “fake news” rhetoric and hostility toward the press.

  • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
    117·
    8 days ago

    There’s no “I was joking” excuse for inciting violence. Being a politician means you are responsible for the consequences of your words. Or at least, it would if we had a functioning justice system.

    • barneypiccolo@lemm.eeEnglish
      32·
      8 days ago

      Its called Stochastic Terrorism, and now that he’s done it, he can be locked up without due process, and shipped to El Salvador.

  • hddsx@lemmy.ca
    33·
    8 days ago

    Senators would say less stupid things if violence were used to resolve disputes.

  • Nightwingdragon@lemmy.worldEnglish
    23·
    7 days ago

    This is standard procedure.

    Claim it was a “joke”. That way, others can say the same thing and use the same excuse. This normalizes it. Then, when some lone wolf actors take it seriously and act on it, people like this can say “We had nothing to do with it! He acted on his own!” and disavow themselves of all responsibility.

    This guy would love it if MAGA morons started taking it seriously and attacking reporters.

    • Optional@lemmy.world
      9·
      8 days ago

      In retrospect, I would have liked to have seen that. Since the Teamsters president spoke at the RNC and called the demented rapist a “tough son of a bitch”.

      Not that it wasn’t a humiliating spectacle all by itself.

  • el_muerte@lemm.eeEnglish
    15·
    8 days ago

    Would be a decent enough idea if “fake news” actually meant outlets/personalities that just blatantly make shit up, but we all know what he actually means is “anyone I disagree with.”

  • PyroNeurosisEnglish
    13·
    7 days ago

    Am I misreading this? He thinks there would be less “false” journalism coverage if reporters shot more senators?

    I mean, I guess? By shooting senators you’d shut off a valve of significant disinformation…

    • Ledericas@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      7 days ago

      yes it would, especially if its been piped straight from russia to the senators mouth.

  • user01@lemm.eeEnglish
    13·
    7 days ago

    Nothing in his tone suggests it’s a joke. He appears to be creating this video to tell a historic story relevant to that place. He nor annyone else nearby laughs. Posted to his senate account used for official communication. He can fuck all the way off with that lame ass attempt at an excuse.

  • Mohamed@lemmy.ca
    8·
    8 days ago

    I love the line “Mullin … criticized The Oklahoman for covering the story.”

  • the_q@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    7 days ago

    Lemmy user floats use of violence against reds and oranges.