A BBC presenter, David Aaronovitch, known for his role on Radio 4’s “Briefing Room” show, has ignited controversy by suggesting that Joe Biden should have former President Donald Trump “murdered.” The inflammatory comment, which has since been deleted, was made in an X post and included the shocking statement, “If I was Biden, I’d hurry up and have Trump murdered on the basis that he is a threat to America’s security.”
Why do people who occupy the left continually call for the assassination of their political opponents while simultaneously claiming the right is threatening their lives? David Aaronovitch called for Trump’s assassination and blaming his critics for a lack of sense of humor. pic.twitter.com/vfgLsk6gwK [1]
— @amuse (@amuse) July 2, 2024 [2]
Aaronovitch added fuel to the fire by incorporating the hashtag #SCOTUS into his post, seemingly linking his remarks to the recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. The 6-3 decision granted Trump immunity for any “official acts” during his time in office, although it left room for interpretation in defining what constitutes an “official act.”
The BBC presenter faced backlash for his suggestion, with critics denouncing it as a violation of the broadcaster’s rules on employee impartiality. In an attempt to address the mounting outrage, Aaronovitch posted a follow-up X message, expressing frustration at how his initial post was perceived. He claimed that his comment was meant as satire and not an incitement to violence, leading to his decision to remove it.
Backtracking now. Did your handlers get in touch and tell you to deny it?
— Alex Armstrong (@alexharmstrong) July 1, 2024 [3]
Despite facing criticism and accusations of backtracking from figures like GB News contributor Alex Armstrong, Aaronovitch remained defiant in his stance and unapologetic for his controversial statement. When confronted about his alleged retreat under counsel from “handlers,” he dismissively responded, “Ooh Alex, tell me about my ‘handlers.'”