Earlier today, Donald Trump apparently received a tip that “there may be someone with tomatoes in the audience.” And how would Donald Trump like his adoring fans to react to this alleged tomato carrier? Donald Trump wants them to beat the shit out of him.

Speaking to a crowd in Iowa, Trump said:

So if you see someone getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of ‘em. Would you? Seriously. Ok? Just knock the hell—I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise. I promise.

If you’re thinking that encouraging other people to commit violent crimes sounds like it is maybe probably illegal—you’re right! Under Iowa state law, a person can be charged with disorderly conduct if they are “directing abusive words or making a threatening gesture which the person knows (or reasonably should know) is likely to provoke a violent reaction by another.”

So should Donald Trump’s supporters act on his wishes (and when have they ever not), our Dear Leader-to-be could be facing up to 30 days in jail—if we were living in a fantasy. In reality, it’ll probably just kick his approval rating up a few notches.

God help us all.

[h/t @bennyjohnson]

Contact the author at ashley@gawker.com.