The NewsWorthy Special Edition: Political Violence & Division- Can We Come Together?
May 2, 2026
Lily Mason, political scientist at Johns Hopkins and author on polarization, explores why threats and harassment are rising and how leader rhetoric fuels spikes in targeted threats. She discusses online amplification, partisan identity as social belonging, social sorting, the contrast between national and local politics, and practical ways people can start civil conversations.
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Most People Reject Violence Yet Acceptance Has Risen
- Over 80% of Americans reject political violence, but willingness to accept it rose from ~7% in 2017 to as high as 20% depending on context.
- Lily Mason highlights that violent attacks remain rare, while threats and vivid high-salience events drive public attention and fear.
Leaders' Rhetoric Drives Threat Targets
- Political leaders' rhetoric shapes norms; leaders who use dehumanizing language produce spikes in threats toward their opponents.
- Mason points to targeted threats against judges and officials who publicly oppose Donald Trump as evidence of leader-driven targeting.
Online Extremes Amplify Real World Threats
- Online anonymity and viral extremes amplify threats because extreme content gets attention and incentivizes conflict.
- Mason explains that online hate often spills into real-world threats, even when callers likely don't intend to carry out violence.
