Fact check: Has the liberal left tried to kill or assassinate the conservative right more than the other way around?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that political violence is a complex issue that affects both sides of the political spectrum, with no clear evidence to support the claim that the liberal left has tried to kill or assassinate the conservative right more than the other way around ^{[1] [2]}. Multiple sources report on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer, and discuss the growing concern of political violence in the United States, citing instances of violence against both Democratic and Republican politicians ^{[1] [2]}. A study comparing the use of political violence by left-wing, right-wing, and Islamist extremists finds that left-wing radicals are less likely to engage in violent behavior than right-wing and Islamist radicals ^[3]. Additionally, most Americans consider political violence a significant problem, with a majority believing that it is not worth justifying violence against political opponents ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key missing context in the original statement is the complexity of political violence, which cannot be attributed to a single ideology or group ^{[1] [5]}. Experts point to the polarized political landscape, social media, and the availability of guns as contributing factors to the increase in political violence ^[1]. Furthermore, data shows that political violence in America rarely follows left-right politics, and that individuals influenced by a mix of extremist ideologies are often responsible ^[5]. Alternative viewpoints suggest that both sides of the political spectrum have been targeted in recent political violence, making it difficult to claim that one side has tried to kill or assassinate the other more ^{[2] [1]}. Liberals and conservatives have opposing views on whether left-wing or right-wing violence is a bigger problem, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of the issue ^[4].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading in its implication that the liberal left has tried to kill or assassinate the conservative right more than the other way around, as most sources suggest that political violence is a complex issue that affects both sides of the political spectrum ^{[1] [2]}. This framing may benefit those who seek to polarize the political landscape and blame one side for the violence, rather than addressing the underlying issues ^[5]. Additionally, the statement may be influenced by bias, as it does not account for the complexity of political violence and the various factors that contribute to it, such as social media and the availability of guns ^[1]. Conservative activists, such as President Trump, may benefit from this framing, as it allows them to blame the 'radical left' for the violence, while liberal activists may benefit from a more nuanced understanding of the issue, which acknowledges the complexity of political violence and the need for a comprehensive solution ^[5].