A poll has come to a disturbing conclusion: political violence is normalising in some circles in the United States with the surge of an "assassination culture".

A survey by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) found that a growing number of people have no problem justifying political violence and even applaud killing. The change appears to have emerged in recent months.

The report says that „political violence targeting Donald Trump and Elon Musk is becoming increasingly normalized. Following the July 13, 2024 attempted assassination of President Trump, tolerance – and even advocacy – for political violence appears to have surged, especially among left-leaning segments of the population.” A survey of more than 1,200 US adults found that

some 38 per cent of respondents said it would be at least „somewhat justified” to murder Donald Trump, and 31 per cent said the same about Elon Musk.

When counting only left-leaning respondents, justification for killing Trump rose to 55 per cent and Musk to 48 per cent.

„What was formerly taboo culturally has become acceptable,”

Joel Finkelstein, the lead author of the report, told Fox News. „We are seeing a clear shift – glorification, increased attempts and changing norms – all converging into what we define as assassination culture,” he added.

A new study found that “assassination culture” is spreading through the left like a virus. 55% of liberals think it’s at least “somewhat justified” to murder @realDonaldTrump… so half of Democrats hoped Ryan Routh got the shot off at the 6th hole at Trump International. We’re… pic.twitter.com/Xz3muqFJeQ

— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) April 9, 2025

„Trump represents the perfect target for assassination culture. He’s powerful, he’s rich and he’s provocative. That puts him on the highest shelf for those who glorify political violence,” Finkelstein said.

Support for politically motivated vandalism and property damage has also increased. When respondents were asked whether it was justified to destroy a Tesla dealership, four out of ten agreed, and when the question was restricted to left-aligned respondents, the proportion rose to 58 per cent.

„Property destruction wasn’t just an outlier opinion, it clustered tightly with support for political assassinations and other forms of violence,” said Finkelstein. „This points to a coherent belief system, not just isolated grievances. Tesla has become a stand-in for broader frustrations about capitalism, tech power and conservative politics. Burning down a dealership isn’t just a protest, it’s a performance, a signal of belonging to a radical in-group,” he explained.

The proportion of those supporting political violence was significantly higher on the left than on the right.

„What we found was a statistically higher endorsement of political murder on the left, 41 per cent more than among right-leaning participants,”

added Finkelstein.

The author believes the psychological roots of „assassination culture” are a mix of ideological radicalism and feelings of powerlessness after Kamala Harris lost to Trump.

Bob Brooks breaks down the „Assassination Culture” against President Trump and Elon Musk.

„Out of more than 1,200 plus who were polled in a survey, when counting only left-leaning respondents, justification for killing President Trump rose to 55%, and Elon Musk was included on… pic.twitter.com/IZPMo8FGet

— DeVory Darkins (@devorydarkins) April 9, 2025