Though Donald Trump held a slight lead in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 4, mail-in ballots from largely Democratic areas like Philadelphia were closing the gap and had many pollsters predicting that Joe Biden would eventually take the lead.
Though these votes were all perfectly legitimate and legal, far-right online conservatives and Fox News host Lou Dobbs called for Republicans to take action by "surrounding" the city.
Lou Dobbs demands Republicans “surround” Philadelphia and exert a “demanding presence” https://t.co/azYlQmvMDI— Media Matters (@Media Matters) 1604532554.0
Republican groups should start bussing Trump supporters to Philly, Phoenix, and Detroit. Make them feel our level of pissed off.— HARLAN Z. HILL 🇺🇸 (@HARLAN Z. HILL 🇺🇸) 1604576066.0
I’m going to Philly tomorrow with a team. This is war.— HARLAN Z. HILL 🇺🇸 (@HARLAN Z. HILL 🇺🇸) 1604554446.0
Though tweets like these were obvious irresponsible and could potentially incite violence from unstable individuals, Philadelphia residents were more concerned for any Republicans who came to the city looking for trouble.
I would not fight the sweetest school teacher in Philly. Wouldn’t scrap with the most gentle librarian. They all do… https://t.co/YQqzexsJlW— Marc Dones (@Marc Dones) 1604582902.0
@marcformarc @FarFarrAway Even the most gentle librarians can administer Narcan.— Lynn Fisher wears a mask (@Lynn Fisher wears a mask) 1604593613.0
Legend at my hospital: Little old lady brought in by medics. Metal detector kept going off. Found a .380 in her damn wig.
— Peturkey Pumpkinpie, MD 🦃 (@pjputh) November 5, 2020
Philadelphia has a well-earned reputation.
Bruh, they booed my baby for wearing Mets gear at a Phillies game. You don't want none of Philly. https://t.co/s6jyg3rwHh— WandaVision✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 (@WandaVision✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿) 1604541589.0
Gritty will eat you alive, Dobbs. The Phanatic will blast what's left of you into the Schuylkill with the hotdog… https://t.co/xJbMaHfp0j— Stefan Buczko (@Stefan Buczko) 1604539459.0
@mmfa Hey Lou, I found a bunch of uncounted ballots from GOP strongholds in here. You wanna come see? https://t.co/pl7UJZO94V— Nunzio Vuono (@Nunzio Vuono) 1604545307.0
Philadelphia is protected by an enigmatic and volatile force of almost infinite power.
His name is Gritty.
@mmfa Philly does this for fun https://t.co/rj4okrx0ix— x - Deb (@x - Deb) 1604538684.0
@CitizenNem @mhfakahd @mmfa Whole lotta Anthonys gonna cross the Delaware like opposite Washington.— Tony the Prawn (@Tony the Prawn) 1604543530.0
These Republicans who surround Philly aren't even going to see the fight coming.
@mmfa One of these guys is going to order a ‘sub’ instead of a ‘hoagie’ at Wawa and catch a fist to the back of the head— Eric Williams (@Eric Williams) 1604542031.0
You're gonna try to intimidate a city that beheaded a hitchhiking robot? Try it, Louise. https://t.co/qBrglFp0Y5— Taj Magruder (@Taj Magruder) 1604546971.0
@mmfa Please remember that we Philadelphians beat up a robot that happened to roll through unannounced.— kda78 (@kda78) 1604538837.0
If there are two things beloved by all Philadelphians, they're the Eagles and democracy.
@mmfa Well the Eagles don’t play this weekend so come on down Lou. Looking forward to it— ScotInPhilly (@ScotInPhilly) 1604539785.0
@mmfa Tell 'em to make sure they put on their Cowboys and Mets gear so they get an extra warm welcome.— Vicious, horrible person (@Vicious, horrible person) 1604547207.0
Lou Dobbs doesn't seem to understand the city he's dealing with.
@mmfa Lol. Lou Dobbs has never attended an Eagles game in a Cowboys jersey https://t.co/aItAPrKwGI— Virginia Kase Solomón (@Virginia Kase Solomón) 1604547973.0
We contain at least one white person who has eaten horse apples post Super Bowl win. Shame is unknown to us. https://t.co/PyJT5AwUZJ— Mike Pipper (@Mike Pipper) 1604540244.0
If conservative pundits like Lou Dobbs think that heading to Philly will help them, they're welcome to try. But the city of brotherly love might just have something to say about their plan once they arrive.