Trump spox: Saying ‘bringing a knife to a gun fight’ incites violence

by Mark Hensch - 03/14/16 5:58 PM ET

Katrina Pierson, Donald Trump, Bullet Necklace — CNN

A spokeswoman for GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Monday suggested the phrase “bringing a knife to a gun fight” promotes bloodshed.

“If we want to talk about inciting violence, where is the interview when [Democratic presidential front-runner] Hillary Clinton and [President] Barack Obama when they’re talking about ‘bringing a gun to a knife fight?’” Trump spokeswoman Katrina Pierson asked host Jake Tapper on CNN’s “The Lead.”

“Obama invoked the phrase ‘bringing a knife to a gun fight’ during his 2008 presidential campaign against Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), that year’s Republican nominee.

“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” he said of countering GOP attacks against him during a fundraiser in Philadelphia in June 2008. “Because from what I understand, folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.”

Pierson also criticized rhetoric from Democrats for inciting violence against police.

“Today, we have police officers called out to fake calls so that they can be ambushed and potentially assassinated,” she said.

{mosads}Tapper tried to contradict Pierson’s definition of “bringing a knife to a gun fight” by citing “The Untouchables,” a 1987 mobster movie starring Sean Connery that uses the colloquialism.

He argued that the phrase — typically used to denote entering into a situation unprepared — has a different meaning that Pierson claims.

“I didn’t recognize that, absolutely not,” she responded when Tapper mentioned his assessment based on the film.

“Well, you should check out the film ‘The Untouchables,’” Tapper countered.

Trump cancelled a rally in Chicago last Friday night amid fears that it could provoke widespread violence between protesters and his supporters.

Several of his campaign events have since featured physical conflict between his fans and detractors, with police making multiple arrests across the country.

Trump on Monday denied his public appearances are beset by heated conflicts, arguing that his events have had “no violence” overall. Critics argue that the billionaire’s bombastic rhetoric and hardline policies on issues like immigration are making voter frustrations boil over nationwide.