How Trump Re-Wrote the History of January 6
On the Media
Deep Dive
How did public opinion about the January 6 Capitol riot change over time?
Shortly after January 6, 2021, 51% of respondents strongly disapproved of the rioters. By late 2023, that number dropped to 30%, with 72% of Republicans supporting pardons for the rioters. This shift reflects a sustained effort by Donald Trump and his allies to rewrite the narrative of the event.
What was Donald Trump's initial response to the January 6 riot?
Trump was at the White House during the riot and did little to stop it, aside from a few tweets calling for peaceful protest. Hours later, he posted a video with mixed signals, acknowledging the pain of his supporters but also urging them to go home while repeating the false claim that the election was stolen.
How did Republican leaders and media figures initially react to the January 6 riot?
Many Republican leaders and media figures, including Ben Shapiro and Sean Hannity, condemned the violence immediately. Shapiro called it the worst event since 9/11, and Hannity emphasized that perpetrators should be prosecuted. However, some, like Jesse Watters, downplayed the riot compared to Black Lives Matter protests.
What conspiracy theories emerged about the January 6 riot?
Conspiracy theories quickly spread, including claims that the rioters were Antifa or part of a government plot to discredit Trump. Paul Gosar and Laura Ingraham propagated these falsehoods, suggesting that some rioters didn't look like typical MAGA supporters.
How did Donald Trump attempt to rewrite the narrative of January 6?
Trump claimed in interviews that the rioters were 'ushered in by the police' and described the crowd as 'loving.' He also spread the falsehood that Nancy Pelosi rejected his recommendation to deploy 10,000 soldiers, implying she was responsible for the lack of security.
What was the significance of Tucker Carlson's 'Patriot Purge' series?
Tucker Carlson's 'Patriot Purge' series claimed the January 6 insurrection was a government plot to discredit Trump. The series was widely denounced, even by Fox News colleagues, leading to the resignation of two commentators who called it 'half-baked nonsense.'
How did Trump and his allies counter the January 6 House Select Committee hearings?
Trump's allies in Congress refused to participate in the committee, labeling it illegitimate. Trump and his supporters ridiculed the committee's findings, with Trump tweeting that the riot was caused by a 'rigged and stolen election,' not him.
How did Trump's rhetoric about January 6 rioters evolve over time?
Trump initially distanced himself from the rioters but later fully embraced them as martyrs. After a 2022 meeting with conservative activists, he donated $10,000 to support January 6 defendants and gave them a platform at his rallies, framing them as persecuted patriots.
What was the public's perception of Trump's responsibility for January 6 by 2022?
By 2022, fewer than half of Americans held Trump solely or mainly responsible for January 6, according to an NBC poll. This decline in accountability reflects the success of Trump's efforts to cloud the facts and rewrite the narrative of the event.
What was the significance of Trump's 'Justice for All' song?
Trump's 'Justice for All' song, released in March 2023, featured him reciting the Pledge of Allegiance while the J6 Prison Choir sang the national anthem. The song, which topped music charts, framed the January 6 rioters as patriots and martyrs, further solidifying Trump's alternate narrative of the event.
What challenges does Trump face in pardoning January 6 rioters?
Pardoning nonviolent misdemeanor offenders would be relatively easy, but pardoning those convicted of violent acts, such as assaulting police officers, would be more contentious. Failing to pardon the latter group could alienate a segment of Trump's base who see them as martyrs.
Why did Judge Royce Lamberth's sentencing note stand out?
Judge Lamberth, appointed by Reagan, wrote a 13-page note clarifying that there was no evidence of a stolen election and that the rioters aimed to halt the peaceful transfer of power. His note, based on extensive testimony and evidence, served as a powerful rebuttal to the false narratives surrounding January 6.
- Significant drop in disapproval of January 6th rioters from 51% to 30%
- 72% of Republicans now support pardons for rioters
- Initial outrage from Republicans and condemnation from media figures like Ben Shapiro and Sean Hannity
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