Critics are calling out President Donald Trump for a “dangerous” new attack on his fellow Americans made during a speech in front of thousands of US Navy sailors on Sunday.

“We have to take care of this little gnat that’s on our shoulder called the Democrats. They want to give all of our money to illegal aliens that pour into the country,” said Trump, making a flicking gesture from his shoulder as he spoke.

Trump’s insistence that someone has to “take care of” Democrats refers to nearly half the country, with a Pew survey released in July finding that 45% of American adults identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party.

That’s nearly identical to the 46% who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party.

Trump’s claim also comes as both the president and his allies have spent much of the past month claiming rhetoric from “the left” is fuelling a rise in political violence.

The president’s speech at Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia was supposed to be an event marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.

But it felt more like a Trump rally than a celebration of the Navy ― so much so that the president himself called it that as he spoke.

“Let’s face it, this is a rally,” he declared.

The president’s critics called him out over his latest escalation in rhetoric:

“Take care of” is not subtle. This weekend the ground has shifted and no person can deny what the president, unpopular and unfit, intends. To remain silent is to welcome this. They can both sides or claim they didn’t hear, but there is no wiggle room about his plans now. https://t.co/bwAE4dnMiP

— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) October 6, 2025

Donald Trump keeps blurring the line........

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