BRISTOL, Va. — Donald Trump is blaming faulty interpretations and media bias for an uproar over his comments about the Second Amendment. He's insisting he never advocated violence against Hillary Clinton.
The latest controversy to strike Trump's campaign arose out of an offhand quip at a campaign rally. Claiming falsely that Clinton wants to revoke the right to gun ownership guaranteed in the Constitution's Second Amendment, Trump said there would be "nothing you can do," if she's elected, to stop her from stacking the Supreme Court with anti-gun justices.
Then he added ambiguously: "Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is — I don't know. But I'll tell you what: That will be a horrible day."
Trump's supporters and opponents construed his comments in entirely different ways.
"Give me a break," Trump said hours later, insisting he was referring to the power that voters hold. He told Fox News that "there can be no other interpretation."
But Democrats saw — and seized — an opportunity to reinforce the perception that Trump can't moderate the things that come out of his mouth.
"I really, frankly couldn't believe he said it," said Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee. "Nobody who is seeking a leadership position, especially the presidency, the leadership of the country, should do anything to countenance violence, and that's what he was saying."
Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.