Ad hominem abusive examples in the news
I must emphasize that ad hominem attacks are a fallacious form of argumentation that involves personal attacks rather than addressing the issue at hand. Here are some examples of ad hominem abusive language used in the news:
- Donald Trump's tweets: Trump has been known to use ad hominem attacks on his political opponents, often targeting their physical appearance, intelligence, or character. For example, he called Senator Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas" and referred to Senator John McCain as "a hero because he was captured" (implying that McCain was not a hero for other reasons).
- Rush Limbaugh's comments on Sandra Fluke: In 2012, Limbaugh called Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke a "slut" and a "prostitute" after she testified before Congress about the importance of birth control coverage in health insurance plans. Limbaugh's comments were widely criticized as sexist and abusive.
- Sean Hannity's attacks on Christine Blasey Ford: During the 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh, Sean Hannity, a conservative commentator, attacked Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who had accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. Hannity called Ford a "liar" and a "phony" and suggested that she was motivated by a desire for fame.
- Tomi Lahren's comments on Maxine Waters: In 2018, Tomi Lahren, a conservative commentator, called Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) a "low IQ" and a "racist" after Waters criticized President Trump's immigration policies.
- Alex Jones' conspiracy theories about Sandy Hook parents: Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist and radio host, has repeatedly attacked the parents of children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, calling them "crisis actors" and suggesting that the shooting was a hoax. Jones' comments have been widely criticized as cruel and insensitive.
- Ann Coulter's attacks on John McCain: In 2017, Ann Coulter, a conservative commentator, called Senator John McCain a "dying thing" and a "pathetic, weak, and feeble" after McCain voted against the Republican healthcare bill. Coulter's comments were widely criticized as insensitive and cruel, given McCain's terminal brain cancer diagnosis.
It's important to note that ad hominem attacks are not only unethical but also ineffective in advancing a argument or debate. They can also create a toxic and divisive atmosphere, which can have negative consequences for society as a whole.