Death threats. Heated protests. Nasty campaign ads.

The political climate is growing increasingly ugly and personal in the Trump era, a sense that is being underlined by the confirmation battle over Brett Kavanaugh, whose Supreme Court nomination has been roiled by sexual assault allegations in the “Me Too” era and has sparked impassioned debate on both sides of the aisle.

The high-stakes battle comes at a time when there is already concern about political fights getting out of hand in the run-up to a potentially volatile and closely watched midterm election.

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At the center of it all is President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE, whose fiery attacks and Twitter insults have infuriated his opponents while firing up his base.

Both parties have seen their members pulled into the tumult.

Rep. Eric Swalwell Eric Michael SwalwellSwalwell calls for creation of presidential crimes commission to investigate Trump when he leaves office 'This already exists': Democrats seize on potential Trump executive order on preexisting conditions Swalwell: Barr has taken Michael Cohen's job as Trump's fixer MORE (Calif.), a rising star in the Democratic Party who is seen as a potential 2020 contender, came under fire this week for downplaying violent threats made against Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsClub for Growth to spend million in ads for Trump Supreme Court nominee Maryland's GOP governor says Republicans shouldn't rush SCOTUS vote before election The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November MORE’s (R-Maine) office. Collins has been subject to intense pressure from liberals over her vote on Kavanaugh.

“Boo hoo hoo. You’re a senator who police will protect. A sexual assault victim can’t sleep in her home tonight because of threats,” Swalwell wrote in a since-deleted tweet, referencing Christine Blasey Ford, who went public with her sexual misconduct accusations against Kavanaugh last Sunday.

Swalwell later apologized, and clarified that “no one should make threats.”

“Be loud and be heard,” Swalwell said, but “don’t use violence.”

Freshman Rep. Ralph Norman Ralph Warren NormanHouse Dems introduce bill to require masks on planes and in airports Bipartisan bill introduced to require TSA to take temperature checks House Republicans urge White House to support TSA giving travelers temperature checks MORE (R-S.C.) sparked a flurry of criticism after he made a joke that was seen as mocking Ford.

“Did you hear about this?” Norman said at an election debate, according to The Post and Courier.

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg came out saying she was groped by Abraham Lincoln,” he quipped about the 85-year-old Supreme Court Justice.

Democrats quickly blasted the comments as inappropriate, but Norman said people need to “lighten up.”

Trump has been generally restrained in his response to the Kavanaugh accusations this week, but on Friday, he let loose on Ford and her lawyers, raising doubts about her story.

“If the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents,” Trump tweeted.

“The radical left lawyers want the FBI to get involved NOW. Why didn’t someone call the FBI 36 years ago?” he wrote in a separate tweet.

Meanwhile, Sen. Mazie Hirono Mazie Keiko HironoManchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Democrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue MORE (D-Hawaii) has become a hero on the left for her outspoken, biting criticism over the GOP’s handling of the Kavanaugh allegations.

She has called Republican claims that they have done everything they can to reach out to the accuser “bullshit” and called on “the men of this country” to “shut up and step up for once.”

Ed Whelan, a former clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia who serves as president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, faced immense backlash for circulating an unfounded theory suggesting Ford may have confused Kavanaugh with another student.

“I made an appalling and inexcusable mistake of judgment in posting the tweet thread in a way that identified Kavanaugh's Georgetown Prep classmate. I take full responsibility for that mistake, and I deeply apologize for it,” Whelan, who is supporting Kavanaugh, tweeted. “I realize that does not undo the mistake.”

The episodes strike at the heart of how the political environment is deteriorating, with emotions running high as both parties gear up for high-stakes political battles over the Supreme Court and midterm elections.

“Trump’s rhetoric has not only given cover to a lot of Republicans to say a lot of ugly things that most wouldn’t have said, but has also given permission to Democrats to start spewing their anger and going after him,” said Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and former Senate aide who worked on Senate Judiciary confirmations.

If Kavanaugh is seated on the bench, the conservative justice could tilt the direction of the court for decades to come and determine the fate of abortion rights, civil rights and a whole host of other issues.

His confirmation hearing was colored by political protests, interruptions from Democratic senators and women who showed up dressed in “Handmaid’s Tale” costumes.

If Ford testifies in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee next week, the high-profile hearing could get even wilder.

There have already been violent threats and ugly calls and emails directed at Ford, Kavanaugh, Collins and Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinFeinstein 'surprised and taken aback' by suggestion she's not up for Supreme Court fight Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Biden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll MORE (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.

Republicans and Democrats alike face challenges in making their positions heard while also ensuring that things don’t devolve too far or turn into violence.

It’s a fraught political moment for both parties, and comes at a time when long-simmering tensions are already nearing a boiling point.

There are less than 50 days to go until the 2018 midterm elections — the first since Trump was elected to the White House, following one of the most divisive presidential campaigns in modern U.S. history.

The GOP is now desperately fighting to hang on to its congressional majorities this November, while Democrats who are furious with Trump are seeking revenge at the polls.

The heated election cycle has produced nasty campaign ads, including some that feature family members, arrest records and allegations of affairs.

Rep. Maxine Waters Maxine Moore WatersPowell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs Pelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief Omar invokes father's death from coronavirus in reaction to Woodward book MORE (Calif.), a liberal Democratic star, encouraged her supporters earlier this year to confront Trump administration officials in public.

And Hollywood is even jumping into the fray, with actress Carole Cook joking to TMZ, “where is John Wilkes Booth when you need him?” referencing the man who assassinated President Lincoln in 1865. The statement earned Cook a visit with the Secret Service.

Political observers say the breakdown in culture is partly a response to Trump, but they also note that politics had been growing increasingly polarized even before he served in the White House.

And they also say the rise of social media and cable news networks are partly to blame for inflaming the tensions in the country.

“There’s no denying that politics has become much more partisan and the rhetoric has become much more uglier. Especially in recent years,” Manley said. “Part of it is due to Trump. But part of it has been going on for a while.”