The Trump team's impeachment rebuttal includes Madonna's thoughts on blowing up the White House


Former President Donald Trump's impeachment team on Friday claimed Democrats are the ones guilty of violent rhetoric, showing clips of prominent politicians — and of Madonna.
Throughout their presentation in his impeachment trial, Trump's defense team played videos and read quotes from Democrats they argued have engaged in violent and inflammatory rhetoric, as Trump faces charges of inciting violence among his supporters. The highlights included President Biden saying he'd "beat the hell" out of Trump if they were in high school and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) saying there "needs to be unrest in the streets."
But also thrown in were comments from some non-politicians like Madonna, who is seen in one clip saying she's "thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House" following Trump's election. Another comment from Johnny Depp asking "when was the last time an actor assassinated a president" was included, as well.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I am not showing you this video as some excuse for Mr. Trump's speech," attorney Michael van der Veen said before playing one of the star-studded montages. "This is not whataboutism. I am showing you this to make the point that all political speech must be protected."
Van der Veen argued that Trump "did not engage in any language of incitement" but that "there are numerous officials in Washington who have indeed used profoundly reckless, dangerous, and inflammatory rhetoric in recent years." He also made the case that Trump's speech was protected by the First Amendment.
The clip of Madonna came from a 2017 Women's March, although she immediately followed up her comment about blowing up the White House by adding, "I know that this won't change anything." She later said the remarks were taken out of context and insisted "I do not promote violence."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
China’s rare earth controls
The Explainer Beijing has shocked Washington with export restrictions on minerals used in most electronics
-
Quiz of The Week: 11 – 17 October
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: Can bullfighting win over young Spaniards
Podcast Plus, is online fandom inherently unhealthy? And is Putin’s economy running out of gas?
-
Madagascar president in hiding, refuses to resign
Speed Read Andry Rajoelina fled the country amid Gen Z protests and unrest
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime minister
In the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Israel, Hamas agree to first step of Trump peace plan
Speed Read Israel’s military pulls back in Gaza amid prisoner exchange
-
Israel intercepts 2nd Gaza aid flotilla in a week
Speed Read The Israeli military intercepted a flotilla of nine boats with 145 activists aboard along with medical and food aid
-
Japan poised to get first woman prime minister
Speed Read The ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi
-
Israel and Hamas meet on hostages, Trump’s plan
Speed Read Hamas accepted the general terms of Trump’s 20-point plan, including the release of all remaining hostages
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza