Staff Reports
Reid Hoffman, a significant donor to President Joe Biden, decided to finally break his silence on X regarding the weekend’s attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred on Saturday night, and it’s been swirling in political conversations ever since. One might think Hoffman would offer an unequivocal condemnation, but his response seemed strategically designed to cover his tracks rather than sincerely denounce violence.
This is the same Hoffman who, just last Friday, was itching to turn Trump into “an actual martyr.” According to a report in Puck News, Hoffman had a heated exchange with former friend Peter Thiel at an Idaho summit. Thiel thanked him for the lawsuits against Trump, which painted the former president as a martyr and improved his chances for reelection. Hoffman, with what can only be described as morbid enthusiasm, retorted that he wished he had made Trump an actual martyr, which certainly raised eyebrows.
Now, on social media, Hoffman attempted damage control, starting his lengthy post by expressing horror and sadness over the attempt on Trump’s life, while wishing him a speedy recovery. Typical damage control passed off as heartfelt concern. Hoffman then tried to spin his earlier comments about making Trump a martyr as referring to holding him accountable legally, not implying any physical harm. One almost has to admire the mental gymnastics required for such a spin.
Hoffman also played the old “both sides” card in his post. He urged everyone to condemn political violence, making a specific call to President Biden to join the chorus of condemnation. But wait, there’s more: he spent an entire paragraph lambasting Trump for not speaking out against political violence. Predictably, he dredged up the January 6 rhetoric, conveniently ignoring Trump’s real-time calls for peace posted on social media before his accounts were promptly shut down. Hoffman twisting these words sure seems like an ongoing attempt to milk the Democrats’ favorite scapegoat.
Your very attempt to”both sides” it reveals your insincerity. I have multiple sources who were in the room when you said it and everyone took away the same meaning: you wanted Trump dead. You’re not fooling anyone. https://t.co/bzh5PS58w3
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) July 15, 2024
If that wasn’t enough, Hoffman tried to breathe life into the “bloodbath” narrative. He referenced Trump’s rally comment, distorting it to suggest incitement of violence when Trump was actually talking about an economic downfall, specifically within the auto industry. Facts evidently are optional for Hoffman and his subjective interpretation of events.
In a subtle nod, Hoffman referenced Biden’s statement condemning violence but sidestepped the significant violence conservatives have faced. There was no mention of the foiled plot against Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the violent assault on Senator Rand Paul by his neighbor, or the near-fatal shooting of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. These glaring omissions reveal a selective memory or, more likely, an intentional omission to fit their narrative.
Hoffman’s post has drawn heated reactions, clocking over 8,000 replies. Among the many critics, Megyn Kelly delivered a searing response, highlighting that sources present when Hoffman made his initial comments believed he wanted Trump dead. Clearly, Hoffman’s attempt to backtrack hasn’t fooled everyone, and his selective outrage only underscores his insincerity.
