After things settle down, if they ever should, Trump’s words and frame of mind just prior to the 2024 election are destined to reverberate in history books and also foretell a bumpy immediate future for the U.S.   He crassly insulted the sexuality of his opponent Kamala Harris, called Democrats “demonic,” imagined Liz Cheney facing a fusillade of bullets, made remarks about the late golfer Arnold Palmer’s genitalia and promised to prosecute political opponents who “cheat” in the election.  He also remarked he wouldn’t mind if members of the press were shot if there was another assassination attempt at one of his rallies. His campaign denied he was insinuating the media should be harmed. (Another Duh.)

“I have this piece of glass here,” he said of the ballistic glass protecting him at a recent rally in Lititz, Pa. “But all we have really over here is the fake news. And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don’t mind that so much.” At another rally Trump  called the Democratic Party “demonic” and accused it of wanting to imprison his supporters.  Over a malfunctioning microphone at one rally, he asked the crowd, “Do you want to see me knock the hell out of people backstage?” While wrestling with the glitchy mike he simulated performing oral sex, resulting in cheers from his supporters.

His worst, most revelatory statement was that he should never have left the White House after the 2020 election.  Most likely he never plans to leave again.