The `Blood Populism’ Driving Political Violence in America
We talk to the Atlantic’s Adrienne LaFrance about what she coins “blood populism,” and about why she believes people with these opinions should be seen not as partisans but extremists.
May 12, 2026
54 min
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May 12, 2026
The `Blood Populism’ Driving Political Violence in America
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The `Blood Populism’ Driving Political Violence in America
Summary
A 2025 study found political violence is shifting from a primarily right-wing phenomenon to one now more common on the left (fueled partly by a significant decrease in right-wing attacks during President Trump’s second term). And it’s increasingly accepted across the political spectrum, with about a fifth of Americans saying they’d support violence to achieve political goals. The Atlantic’s Adrienne LaFrance calls this dangerous attitude “blood populism,” and we’ll talk to her about why she believes people with these opinions should be seen not as partisans but extremists. Plus, a violence prevention researcher explains why political violence is a public health issue.
Guests:
Adrienne LaFrance, executive editor, the Atlantic
Garen Wintemute M.D., M.P.H. , director, Centers for Violence Prevention at UC Davis; he also practices and teaches emergency medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine.
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