There are some truths that we hold to be universal. The sky is blue. Donald Trump rallies are chaotic. And if you don’t believe this video of a Trump supporter pepper spraying a crowd of protesters, then maybe one man live tweeting the proceedings at another Trump rally will persuade you.
According to his Twitter bio, Jared Yates Sexton is a writer who lives in Georgia. His tweet before the rally drips with sarcasm:
Will be live tweeting from Trump's rally in Greensboro tonight. I'm sure it'll be measured and thoughtful.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
Seven hours later, he starts documenting the absurdity.
Trump event like a security state. Just watched a girl get denied for being "too alternative."
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
Tailgating in parking lots. Vendors selling Hillary Sucks But Not Like Monica shirts. General awfulness.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
Big seller is a shirt that says Trump That Bitch. Everyone wearing one is being asked to pose for pictures. Big thumbs up. Big grins.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
The misogyny is obvious; so is the irony.
Guy wearing Socialism Sucks shirt and lip syncing to Tiny Dancer. Nothing makes sense anymore.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
Air-guitarist to Keep On Rocking In The Free World. Make America Great Again shirt and hat.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
I guess that Trump supporter doesn’t know or care that Neil Young expressly told the Donald to stop playing his music at his rallies.
Surely enough, the Hitler comparisons come out.
Crowd chanting BUILD THAT WALL BUILD THAT WALL over operatic music.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
I don't like Hitler comparisons but that was positively like Nuremburg rally level crazy.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
As does the homophobia and Islamophobia.
Crowd member just shouted "gays had it coming"
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
Saying Orlando shooter shouldn't of been here as child of immigrants
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
If you were ever wondering who wasn’t sad about the Orlando nightclub shooting, you’d find some of those people in this crowd, apparently.
Crowd won't clap for call for unity with LGBTQ
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
And the most chilling use of “honey” as a term of endearment ever.
Overheard: immigrants aren't people, honey
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) June 14, 2016
At the end of the rally, Sexton thanks everyone for reading, because “Trump’s candidacy is a virus that needs to be cured.” It would be hard not to feel despair after standing among all that hatred and bigotry, especially when it’s in support of someone who could very well be the President of the United States next year. Perhaps the rest of us can take comfort in polls that show Hillary Clinton is in the lead, but that would be premature. Trump has proven himself to be very resilient so far.