What Constitutes Dangerous Political Speech and How It Can Incite Violence

Authors

Garrett Epps, University of Baltimore School of LawFollow
Diane Rehm, NPR
Doyle McManus, The Los Angeles Times
Jennifer Mercieca, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Susan Benesch, Berkman Center for Internet Society, Harvard UniversityFollow

Document Type

Podcast

Journal Title

The Diane Rehm Show

Publication Date

11-2-2016

Abstract

Reports from Trump rallies in recent days echo a common theme: if their candidate loses there will be anger, despair, even revolution. Trump supporters site the election as being rigged – of which there is no evidence – and a corrupt system. It’s language the presidential candidate himself uses. While political reporters note most Trump supporters are not calling for “revolution” the words from the campaign this season have many asking what constitutes dangerous political speech and how it can incite people to act. We get perspectives from a political scientist, a reporter and legal scholars.

Comments

Professor Epps begins his commentary roughly 20 minutes into the audio, available on The Diane Rehm Show's website if you click "Link to Full Text" above. A full transcript is also available on The Diane Rehm Show's website.

Recommended Citation

The Diane Rehm Show, What Constitutes Dangerous Political Speech and How it Can Incite Violence, NPR (Nov. 2, 2016), https://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-11-02/what-constitutes-dangerous-political-speech-and-how-it-can-incite-violence.