Tensions between Trump supporters and opponents, which have escalated into violence on several occasions, continued to rise on Saturday when a supporter of the Republican frontrunner was caught on video screaming at protesters outside a rally to "go to fucking Auschwitz."
The man, who appeared to be making a Nazi salute, screamed at the protesters, is only the latest of a string of Trump supporters who have clashed with protesters in recent weeks.A planned rally in Chicago on Friday was cancelled following skirmishes between Trump's backers and protesters.
The clashes in Chicago come on the heels of violent incidents at other Trump rallies against protesters and journalists. Along with Trump and his supports, the other Republican candidates criticized the behavior of the Chicago protesters.
Several days ago a Trump supporter was charged with assault after punching protester in the face as he was being escorted out of a rally while a reporter for Breitbart News last week filed criminal charges against Trump campaign manager for allegedly grabbing her arm as she attempted to ask the candidate a question. The Trump campaign denies the incident took place.
While the campaign has taken to playing a recorded message calling for calm before rallies, rhetoric such as a recent statement that Trump would like to "punch [a protester] in the face" has raised concerns among opponents that he is fanning the flames of violence.
Late last month a senior leader of the Conservative movement, in a personal statement unconnected to his organization, accused Trump of "using racism and fear mongering" and blasted him for declining to condemn the Klu Klux Klan.
During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, host Jake Tapper repeatedly asked Trump if he would distance himself from the white supremacist organization, prompting the candidate to respond that he did not know “anything about David Duke.”
He subsequently blamed his answer on a broken earpiece.
That incident led the to a condemnation by the Anti-Defamation League, which subsequently sent out information packets on hate groups to the leading Presidential candidates.
JTA and Reuters contributed to this report