Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump raised eyebrows at a recent campaign rally with his call for “one really violent day” to crack down on shoplifting.
While his comments were met with criticism and comparisons to the dystopian film franchise The Purge, they also sparked an interesting thought experiment: How would one actually survive such an event?
The Purge is a series of dystopian thriller movies set in a near-future America (the first features Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey). The central concept is that for one night each year, all crime becomes legal for 12 hours, including murder. The government sanctions this event, called “the Purge,” as a way to supposedly reduce crime rates and unemployment throughout the rest of the year.
Since curious minds want to know, we turned to AI assistant ChatGPT for some survival tips. Here’s what OpenAI‘s intelligent chatbot had to say about surviving a hypothetical Purge scenario.
A woman wearing a costume inspired by “The Purge” poses for a photo on October 31, 2021, in London, England. On the back of former President Donald Trump’s call for “one really violent day” that has been compared to “The Purge,” Newsweek asked ChatGPT how to survive such an event.
Hollie Adams/Getty Images
ChatGPT’s Purge Survival Guide
ChatGPT approached the task with its characteristic thoroughness, offering a comprehensive guide that would make even the most paranoid preppers nod in approval. The AI’s advice centered around three main phases: Pre-Purge Preparation, During the Purge, and Post-Purge Actions.
Pre-Purge Prep: Location, Location, Fortification
ChatGPT’s first piece of advice? Choose your battleground wisely. The AI suggests selecting a secure location with “reinforced structures, limited access points and, ideally, no windows on the ground floor.” So, penthouses and bunkers are in, garden apartments are out.
Once you’ve picked your fortress, it’s time to go full Kevin McCallister. The AI recommends installing “heavy-duty metal shutters, security doors, and window bars.” It also advises creating a safe room with “multiple locks” and a “hidden entrance.” Because sleeping in a panic room is guaranteed peace of mind.
Also, bring snacks and other supplies. “Have at least a week’s worth of non-perishable food and water for all occupants,” and “Stock up on a first aid kit, prescription medications, and emergency trauma gear.”
What about defending yourself? ChatGPT is cautious: “Depending on the legal and ethical context, have weapons for self-defense, such as pepper spray, tasers, or firearms. Know how to use them properly.”
During the Purge: Shh, Be Very, Very Quiet
When the sirens blare and the Purge begins, ChatGPT’s advice boils down to: be quiet, be invisible, and be ready. The AI suggests reducing visibility and noise, constantly monitoring your surroundings, and maintaining radio silence unless absolutely necessary. It’s like a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek, where the seeker is armed and possibly psychotic.
“Do not use any communication devices unless absolutely necessary. Broadcasts could reveal your location … If coordinating with others, use encrypted communication or preset signals,” ChatGPT advises.
It also gives advice about whether one should engage or evade: “Only engage intruders if you are confident you can neutralize the threat and have no safer options. If your position is overrun, have a plan for an immediate, stealthy exit. Use smoke grenades, distractions, or decoys to cover your retreat.”
Smoke grenades? You forgot to tell us to stock up on those in the pre-Purge advice section, ChatGPT!
Post-Purge: Trust No One (for a While)
Safety first: ChatGPT says to “wait for an official announcement confirming the end of the Purge before leaving your safe area.” And check there aren’t any traps or other lingering danger outside your basement/bunker/Cybertruck/wherever you’ve decided to camp out.
Even after the all-clear signal, ChatGPT advises caution. “Some may exploit the transition period to continue violence before order is fully restored,” it warns. The AI recommends waiting for official confirmation before venturing out, and performing a “psychological check on all occupants to address trauma.” Because nothing says fun night like a group therapy session after a brush with lawless violence.
ChatGPT is a little overambitious with post-Purge advice: “Review and Improve: analyze what worked and what didn’t. Make adjustments to your plan for future Purge scenarios.” A debrief is probably the last thing survivors would want to get into at this point.
Trump’s Comments vs. The Purge: Similar, Yet Different
Some social media users were quick to compare Trump’s suggestion to The Purge. Harris-supporting user @ArmandDoma, co-founder of YIMBYs for Harris, an affordable housing-focused Kamala Harris fundraising group, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Trump is literally proposing The Purge lmao.”
Another user @krassenstein, a prominent pro-Harris and Trump-critical influencer, wrote: “Did Trump just f****** suggest ‘The Purge’? Trump implies that his idea for stopping crime is to allow for ‘one really violent day… I mean real rough…”
While Trump’s call for “one really violent day” to address crime drew the comparisons, there are some key differences. In the film franchise, all crimes are legal for 12 hours, whereas Trump suggested a brief period of intense law enforcement.
The film depicts citizen-on-citizen violence, while Trump’s comments implied state-sponsored action. However, the underlying concept of using extreme, time-limited violence as a deterrent is similar in both cases.
It’s worth noting that Trump’s comments were focused on shoplifting, not all crime, and were widely criticized. His campaign later clarified that he was emphasizing the importance of enforcing existing laws. Meanwhile, fact-checkers pointed out that his claims about California’s shoplifting laws were inaccurate.
