“It’s just social media.” That’s the refrain many retreat to when journalists like me cover disturbing online trends, such as the viral TikTok videos calling for President Donald Trump’s murder or celebrating (and sexualizing) alleged murderer Luigi Mangione. But we just got stunning proof that unhinged internet discourse is spreading into the real world at an alarming level. 

A new study from Rutgers University and the Network Contagion Research Institute finds widespread public support for the kind of political violence that social media trends have glorified, especially among Americans who identify as left of center. A whopping 48% of these respondents said murdering Tesla CEO Elon Musk is at least partially justified, while a clear majority, 55%, said the same about Trump. Similarly, 57.6% of left-of-center people surveyed said the destruction of Tesla dealerships is at least partially justified as a form of political protest.