Hochul Wants You Off Social Media and Blames Trump for Political Violence

In Albany on Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul gathered leaders from across New York for a bipartisan discussion on political violence, its causes, and potential solutions. The meeting, held in the Capitol’s Red Room, brought together county executives, state legislators, and security officials to address the rising tide of politically motivated hostility.

“We talked about the role that we play as leaders, you know our personal responsibility and our own social media posts, like if we should even be on social media,” Hochul said during the session. She added that the “rise in hate speech and dehumanization that occurs when things are said that you’d never say to someone in the workplace or your place of worship” underscores the urgency for change.

One of the solutions highlighted was spending less time on social media.

Attending in person were Dutchess County Executive Jen Metzger and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, both Democrats, alongside Republicans Steve Neuhaus of Orange County and Paul “PJ” Wendel, Jr. of Chautauqua County. Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and Assembly Minority Floor Leader Mary Beth Walsh participated virtually.

New York has seen its share of violent episodes in recent years. The 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution and the racist mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket that same year remain fresh examples. Jackie Bray, commissioner of the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, presented data illustrating a sharp rise in political violence over the last decade.

When asked whether she attributed the increase to Donald Trump’s rise in politics beginning in 2015, Hochul declined to answer directly, opting instead to follow the advice she had just given on limiting rhetoric.

However, based on her answer and body language, it is clear that she does.

Hochul Wants You Off Social Media and Blames Trump for Political Violence