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‘I hate my opponent’: Trump’s remarks at Charlie Kirk memorial distil his politics

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US President Donald Trump's critics pointed to the rising political violence that has affected both Democrats and Republicans.

US President Donald Trump at the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept 21.

PHOTO: LAUREN ELLIOTT/NYTIMES

Tyler Pager

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WASHINGTON – As tens of thousands of people mourned

conservative activist Charlie Kirk

on Sept 21, President Donald Trump made a seemingly unscripted remark that summed up the retribution campaign that has come to define his second term.

“I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them,” Mr Trump told the crowd at the memorial in Arizona.

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