Man Charged After Pulling Gun on Couple in MAGA Hats as They Were Out Shopping

A Tennessee man has been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment after he allegedly pulled a gun on a couple who were sporting “Make America Great Again” hats while shopping in a local store.

James Phillips, 57, of Cottontown, Tennessee, is accused of making an obscene gesture with his finger, before pulling a gun on the couple, according to an arrest record. The man who was wearing the MAGA hat, Tim Pierce, reportedly confronted Phillips after he made the gesture, which resulted in an exchange of words and more offensive hand gestures. After this, witnesses alleged, Phillips pulled out a weapon and pointed it at Pierce.

According to the victim, he and his wife were minding their own business Saturday while shopping at Sam’s Club in Bowling Green, Kentucky, when the exchange occurred, during which Phillips “pulled a .40 caliber out and stuck it in my face, backed up and said, ‘It’s a good day for you to die.'”

Pierce continued: “I said, ‘Then pull the trigger. Put the gun down and fight me or pull the trigger. Whichever one you want.’ And he backed up and he said it again, he said, ‘It’s a good day for you to die.'”

Following this confrontation, Phillips left and headed to the parking lot. Pierce followed him out and the pair engaged in a verbal altercation.

“I have as much right to wear that hat and support my country and my president as he has not to,” Pierce said, according to WBKO-TV.

When police arrested Phillips, they found a loaded Glock .40 caliber on his person, along with two full magazines in his pocket. Phillips is currently being held in the Warren County Regional Jail.

Another incident involving an individual donning a MAGA hat was reported to have taken place Sunday, when a Vans store employee was fired for cursing at a 14-year-old boy because he wore the Trump-supporting hat when in the store.

WARNING: The video below contains cursing

Trump Derangement Syndrome is real. A Vans store employee at Oak Park Mall, Kansas told a 14-year-old "f*ck you" for wearing a MAGA hat. Let's get him fired. pic.twitter.com/PNkPqAxBci

— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) February 17, 2019

“He did nothing to you,” the teen’s mother explained to the employee. “What did you say to my son, to my 14-year-old?”

“I’m sure he’s heard it before,” the employee responded.

“Where’s your manager?” she said. “Let’s go.”

According to a statement provided to the Daily Caller following the incident, the offending employee was “let go” as a result of his actions.

“Our focus is to provide the best customer service experience,” a Vans Corporate employee told the outlet. “We did let this employee go. He is no longer with our company. The actions and comments from this employee at the Oak Park location is in contrast with our values and beliefs.”

“We have taken care of the situation.”

Clear media bias

Interestingly, neither of these situations have garnered any real traction with the mainstream media. The ongoing saga relating to the alleged attack on actor Jussie Smollett has in contrast, been pasted across the front pages for a number of days now. The story really took off when Smollett alleged that his attackers declared that this was “MAGA country” before beating him.

The response to the allegations was fierce and immediate, with Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Kamala Harris and Sen. Cory Booker describing the attack as a “modern-day lynching.”

However, upon subsequent investigations by the Chicago Police Department, it appears that Smollett may have orchestrated the situation himself and that his account was far from accurate. Indeed, Chicago police have even indicated their belief that Smollett paid two Nigerian brothers $3,500 to stage the attack. In addition, financial records indicate that these brothers purchased the rope that was alleged to have been used in the attack against Smollett.

However, since these disturbing details have come to light, the mainstream media, and those who came out in presumptuous support of Smollett, have largely failed to apologize or retract earlier reports or statements. 

The double standard in news reporting is very clear in its hyper-partisan nature — and this should be highly disturbing for us all.

UPDATE: Jussie Smollett off 'Empire' for End of Season After Police Charge He Faked His Own Hate Crime