On July 13, 2024, former U.S. President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump faced an assassination attempt during an election rally in Pennsylvania. This incident occurred just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump is anticipated to be officially nominated as the party’s candidate for the November elections.
The attempt resulted in Trump being grazed by a bullet on his ear. Following the incident, he posted on his "Truth Social" platform: "A bullet grazed the upper part of my right ear." The Secret Service announced in a statement that one attendee was killed, two others were critically injured, and the assassin was also killed.
It is important to note that this is not the first instance of a failed assassination attempt on Trump. Each attempt came perilously close to succeeding, but the assailants were thwarted at the last moment.
Sharp Division
The incident underscores several critical implications:
1. Doubts about premeditation:
Observers suggest that the incident was not the act of an individual or a mentally ill person. Evidence from the scene indicated that a sniper had positioned themselves on the roof of a building across from the electoral event in Pennsylvania, targeting Trump with precise shots. Following the assassination attempt, Pennsylvania law enforcement reported finding explosive materials in the home of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged perpetrator. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal noted that explosive devices were discovered in Crooks' car. These findings raise numerous questions about the identity and affiliations of the perpetrator, including potential connections to extremist groups such as Antifa and Black Lives Matter, both of which have histories of violence and opposition to Trump's return to the White House.
2. Political violence escalation:
Although it is challenging to ascertain the true motives behind the assassination attempt, it underscores the troubling reality that political violence has become pervasive in the United States. This violence targets Republicans, Democrats, conservatives, and liberals alike, and its occurrence has become disturbingly frequent. The incident involving Trump is not an isolated one; it follows a series of similar events over the past few years, including:
a. The thwarted plot to assassinate conservative Supreme Court Justices in 2022.
b. The 2022 hammer attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband.
c. The violent January 2021 Capitol insurrection to protest the certification of Joe Biden's presidential election victory.
d. The 2020 attempt to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
e. The 2017 shooting at a Republican baseball team in Virginia that nearly killed Republican House Representative, Steve Scalise.
These incidents, ranging from organized conspiracies to irrational actions by lone attackers, intensify the deep and unyielding polarization between Republicans and Democrats. Each side employs extreme rhetoric to demonize the other, exacerbating the divide.
3. Growing polarization and hate speech:
Observers believe that the attempted assassination of Trump is a consequence of the increasingly polarized politics in the United States. While the motives of the perpetrator remain unknown—and perhaps even unclear to the individuals themselves—the core issue lies in the political landscape of Washington. Politicians have increasingly exploited public emotions, convincing people of their grievances to incite struggles against their opposition. This exploitation has led to a rise in political violence within American society.
Trump's Response
Former US President and Republican candidate, Donald Trump, sought to leverage the incident through several actions:
1. Rejecting security refuge:
Remarkably, Trump regained his composure after being shot and refused security attempts to take refuge. Instead, he exposed himself to the public, waved to his supporters, assured them he was fine, and urged them to fight for "the United States of America."
2. Calling to confront "The Forces of Evil":
Trump's activity on the "Truth Social" platform intensified following the attempt on his life on Saturday, July 13, 2024. He reassured his fans of his well-being, mentioning a bullet wound above his ear. He then called on Americans to unite and prevent the "Triumph of Evil," urging his supporters to stand with faith, show their true character as Americans, and remain strong and determined.
3. Confirming attendance at the Republican National Convention:
Trump's election campaign confirmed that he will attend the Republican National Convention, which starts on July 14 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Reactions from America and Around the World
The reactions to the attempted assassination of former President Trump can be reviewed as follows:
1. American reactions: "There is No Place for Political Violence":
The attempted assassination of Trump shocked American society. From the President to members of Congress, to businessmen, thought leaders, and influencers, each condemned the incident, emphasizing its threat to national security. Below are the most prominent American reactions:
a. Condemnation from the US President and the White House:
President Joe Biden stated, "Everyone must condemn the shooting that occurred during Trump’s election rally. There is no place for this type of violence in America. We must unite, as a nation, to condemn it." He added that every federal agency is investigating the matter and submitting reports to him. A White House official mentioned that Biden spoke to Trump by phone after the assassination attempt. Official statements also indicated that the US President returned to Washington after the incident, despite planning to spend the weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
b. Speaker of the House demands more security measures:
Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, summoned the head of the Secret Service and the FBI Director to discuss the incident. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation to identify those responsible and declared that Congress must enhance security measures, including increasing the number of guards and updating emergency protocols. Johnson also stressed the importance of improving communication between security agencies to ensure an effective response to future threats.
c. Former President Obama’s denouncement:
Former President Barack Obama stated, "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy." On the platform "X," he wrote, "We should all feel relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured and use this moment to renew our commitment to showing civility and respect in politics."
d. Condemnation from executive ministers:
Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed shock and sadness over the shooting but was relieved that Trump was unharmed, emphasizing that there is no place for political violence in the US. Similarly, Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that violence of any kind is intolerable, labeling the incident an attack on democracy. In a similar vein, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin condemned the violence, stating, "This is not the way we resolve our differences in America." He also expressed relief that Trump was safe and extended prayers to Trump, his family, and all affected by the incident.
e. Suspension of Biden's campaign activities:
The Biden presidential campaign announced a temporary halt to all television advertisements. Officials confirmed there is no current discussion about replacing Biden as a candidate. This event positioned Biden to address the nation about the necessity of unity in the face of political violence.
f. Support from American businessmen:
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, posted on social media, stating, "I fully support former President Trump and wish him a speedy recovery." Similarly, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, also wished Trump a speedy recovery while condemning the violence. In addition, Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, characterized the night of the incident as "very difficult for the American nation." Meanwhile, Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, described the incident as "abhorrent."
2. International reactions:
World leaders expressed shock and deep concern over the injury of the Republican candidate for the US presidential elections, Donald Trump, during an assassination attempt at an election rally. The international reactions can be categorized as follows:
a. Denouncement and condemnation from American and European leaders:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unequivocally condemned political violence, stating it was “never acceptable.” On the X platform, Trudeau shared his thoughts: “My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the rally, and with all Americans.”
Leaders of South American countries also condemned the incident in the strongest terms. Argentine President Javier Meli attributed the violence to the “international left,” writing on X: “For fear of losing in the elections, they resort to terrorism to impose their authoritarian agenda.” Similarly, Brazilian President Lula da Silva asserted that the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.” Leaders from Chile, Costa Rica, and Bolivia echoed these sentiments, condemning the attack on Trump.
Despite previous transatlantic disagreements, European officials swiftly denounced the incident. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her “deep shock,” while French President Emmanuel Macron wished Trump a speedy recovery, calling the assassination attempt “a tragedy for democracy.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also on the X platform, shared his horror upon learning of the shooting. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban offered his “thoughts and prayers” for Trump, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conveyed her concern over the news from Pennsylvania, wishing Trump a swift recovery. Meloni emphasized the importance of “dialogue and responsibility prevailing over hatred and violence” during the election campaign.
b. Russian Criticism of US Policies:
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman urged the United States to confront policies of “incitement to hatred” against political opponents, countries, and peoples, suggesting that these policies will negatively impact the US. She added that funds used to supply weapons to Ukraine might be better spent on the US police and other agencies to ensure law and order.
c. Condemnation from Asian leaders:
Japanese Prime Minister emphasized his opposition to political violence by stating on the X platform, "We must stand firmly against any form of violence that challenges democracy." Similarly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "deep concern" about the attack on Trump and strongly condemned the incident, asserting, "There is no place for violence in politics and democracies."
d. Israeli response:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his shock at the attack on Trump, writing on the X platform, "We pray for his safety and speedy recovery." Notably, officials in Netanyahu's Likud Party warned that the assassination attempt against Trump might be repeated against Netanyahu, highlighting the dangerous indicators of incitement against him.
Possible Repercussions
The recent incident has significant potential consequences that could directly influence the 2024 US election race:
Positive impact on Trump’s image:
The image of former President Donald Trump, at the age of 78, wrestling with Secret Service personnel to stand upright on the podium after the attempt on his life and raising his fist in the air while shouting “Fight” has left a lasting impression. He is now perceived as a "hero" battling what he describes as the Democrats' slander and their attempts to demonize the Republican candidate. Observers believe this event will influence the final vote in the elections, particularly swaying undecided voters. The incident is expected to bolster Trump's narrative that the country is off the rails and increase sympathy for him as a heroic leader standing against "deep state" corruption.
Fears of escalating violence:
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that Americans are increasingly concerned about political violence. Two out of three respondents expressed fears of violence post-elections. Observers predict that the assassination attempt will significantly alter the presidential race dynamics, intensifying fears of political violence during the campaign and after the elections. This concern is heightened by the fact that the US is experiencing its most substantial and prolonged increase in politically motivated violence since the 1970s.
More charges against democrats:
Democrats are likely to face heightened criticism following the attempted assassination of Trump. This incident may reinforce Trump's narrative of Republican victimization. Ohio Senator James David Vance, a prominent candidate for Trump’s running mate, stated on social media platform X: “What happened is not just an isolated incident. The basic premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs, and this rhetoric directly led to the assassination attempt on President Trump.”
In conclusion, the failed attempt to assassinate Trump, which has been condemned by all American circles, including the Democrats, highlights the complexity and polarization within the American political landscape. This incident underscores the potential for increasing political violence and the erosion of democracy. It is imperative that these political circles leverage this assassination attempt as a catalyst for a moment of unity. Such a unified stance is essential to prevent the United States from approaching the brink of civil war or, at the very least, to curb the rising violence attributed to the perceived weakening or absence of American democracy, despite years of pride in its strength.
