Nigel Farage has hit out at a "mainstream media narrative" against Donald Trump, following the attempted assassination at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The MP for Clacton, who is a friend of the former US president, said he "was not shocked" at the incident, adding: "The narrative that is put out there about Trump, by these liberals that oppose him, is so nasty, it's so unpleasant, that I think it almost encourages this type of behaviour."
Asked if he blamed the political environment, the Reform UK leader pointed out US President Joe Biden had said "Trump must be put in the bullseye" a few weeks ago.
Speaking on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday, Nigel added: "There are some things that are said on social media that aren't acceptable. But there is also a mainstream media narrative and I'm afraid it's very, very one-sided.
"The BBC is a part of this, it's happening in this country.
"I've faced continual attacks for over a decade. Now because it's me, no one cares. In fact, it's even funny.
Donald Trump had a bloodied face after being shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania
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"One of the many times that I had a drink thrown at me, a so-called comedian on a BBC show said, 'Well, why not battery acid'.
"I just find the fact that that individual, Jo Brand, is still on BBC programmes, I find that really pretty appalling.
"We've got Mr Aaronovitch who does programmes on Radio 4, who recently said that the best way for a Democrat to deal with Trump is to have him shot. He says now that that was a joke.
"But I do think mainstream media, I do think liberal intolerance, is increasingly a part of this problem."
It followed a "joke" made by a journalist recently, which reportedly called for Donald Trump to be "murdered", following the shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.
A social media post which was reportedly published by journalist David Aaronovitch a few days ago read: "If I was Biden I'd hurry up and have Trump murdered on the basis that he is a threat to America's security #SCOTUS."
Mr Aaronovitch yesterday responded to the circulation of the social media post, stating: "This morning a tweet that I deleted, clearly satirical but deliberately misinterpreted, has been resurrected (and therefore reproduced far more often than the original). Not only does this now endanger me, but also maliciously seeks to obscure my intention: to deplore such violence utterly."
The BBC defended Brand following the comments - which were made on BBC Radio 4's Heresy - in 2019, saying the jokes made on the show were "deliberately provocative as the title implies".The BBC added the jokes are "not intended to be taken seriously".
A bullet pierced Donald Trump's ear after the former US president was shot at in an attempted assassination on Saturday.
One person at the rally was killed and two others were critically injured, authorities said.
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Donald Trump thanked God for "preventing the unthinkable from happening"
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Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, Mr Trump thanked well-wishers and added: “It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening”.
“We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness.”
He continued: “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families.
“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win.
“I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin. DJT”
