Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, a supporter of Donald Trump, has attempted to distance himself from comments that suggested politicians could resolve disputes with journalists through violence. Mullin, known for his previous career as a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, initially played off the idea of dealing with journalists in the manner of past conflicts, citing the story of Charles Kincaid, who shot and killed a former Kentucky congressman in 1890. Mullin claimed he was making a joke, but these remarks have reignited discussions about the rising hostility towards journalists from political figures, especially after the guilty verdict against Robert Telles, who murdered a Las Vegas journalist in 2024.
Mullin’s comments came shortly after a video he posted on social media where he references Kincaid’s murder of Taulbee as an example of how journalists would publish fewer false stories if such methods were still accepted. He insisted that his comment about bringing back caning to settle political disputes and his remarks on resolving differences with journalists were jokes. Mullin has a history of making aggressive statements; he previously confronted the Teamsters union president, Sean O’Brien, in a Senate hearing, which he defended as reflecting “Oklahoma values.”
These incidents highlight a broader problem of verbal and physical aggression towards journalists. Reporters Without Borders documented over 108 instances where Trump insulted, attacked, or threatened the media during his 2024 election campaign. Since returning to office, the Trump administration has continued to antagonize the press, including banning the Associated Press from the Oval Office and threats to prosecute journalists who write unfavorable stories. The new FBI director, Kash Patel, affirmed that Trump’s administration will prioritize targeting journalists as part of its agenda. These actions raise significant concerns about the state of press freedom in the United States.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/07/markwayne-mullin-journalists-violence-comments
