When Matthew Crooks aimed his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle at Donald Trump and pulled the trigger, America suffered another tragedy. Political violence undermines democracy and spawns more violence. And no candidates for public office, regardless of their politics, deserve to be shot.
Decent Americans are grateful that Donald Trump survived the assassination attempt, but Trump is not owed the presidency because a deranged 20-year-old tried to kill him. The Donald Trump that survived the shooting is the same Trump that many of us considered unfit for the presidency before July 13.
Since the shooting, President Biden has called for calm and unity. Donald Trump tweeted support for “unity,” but somehow, I wonder if the ex-president and Joe Biden were thinking the same thing.
Donald Trump was lucky in more ways than one on the 13th, starting with the shooter missing him. He also showed astuteness. Possibly knowing the significance of getting shot and surviving, Trump, intentionally or otherwise, posed for photos that will be ubiquitous in the coming months. Trump shouts, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” with a fist in the air, a bloody ear, and streaks of blood on his face. Within hours of the photos being released, news outlets described them as iconic and suggested they could change the outcome of the election.
The Trump campaign also immediately recognized that shocked and outraged Trump supporters would want to “do something.” So, they immediately launched a fund-raising campaign featuring a Trump quote: “I will never surrender!” The piece did not mention the shooting. It did not have to.
Pundits now tell us that the assassination attempt will guarantee Trump’s victory in November. Let’s hope they are wrong.
Various Trump allies have also been busy tweeting nonsense. I have read that Democrats and “the left” were behind the assassination attempt. One Senator, Mike Lee of Utah, even suggested that federal criminal charges against Trump should be dropped. More nonsense, overreaction, opportunism, and lies will follow.
In the days immediately preceding the shooting, President Biden, still reeling from his June 27 presidential debate meltdown, stepped up his criticism of Donald Trump. Biden reminded voters of Trump’s complicity in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, and his policy agenda, outlined in “Project 2025.”
As most have us that follow politics have read, President Biden told attendees at a recent fundraiser, “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.” Biden’s statement has led some disingenuous Republicans, including Trump’s vice presidential pick, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, to suggest that Biden motivated the would-be assassin. This is nonsense.
Biden told fundraiser attendees: “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”
In context, Biden’s statement is hardly a call to violence. It is about defeating Donald Trump in November. It is a mild statement compared to Trump’s calls for “retribution” and demand that General Mark Milley be executed for treason.
Until yesterday, the most recent act of political violence was the 2021 insurrection, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, including police officers and a Trump supporter who was attempting to violently break into the chamber of the House of Representatives. Rioters at the Trump-inspired insurrection also sought to assassinate House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and hang Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence. Trump allegedly commented that Pence deserved to be hung.
Will the assassination attempt benefit Trump? Unfortunately, it probably will. History suggests that the attempt will create sympathy towards Trump. His support among his base will strengthen. Perhaps more importantly, Democrats and other critics of Trump will become more cautious in attacking him. Trump will also continue to use the event for fundraising, just as he did after his mug shot was taken in the Fulton County Jail in connection with his Georgia indictment.
Multiple speakers at this week’s Republican National Convention are praising Trump for his courage, and video of the shooting has been played on screens in the arena. Trump is being cast as a hero, with the shooting just the latest failed attempt to block him from regaining the White House that was stolen from him in 2020.
Dare I say it? The shooting was more a tragedy for American democracy than for Trump. The ex-president’s chances of being elected in November have increased. The likelihood of American democracy surviving into the 2030s has decreased.
All decent Americans regret the assassination attempt at Donald Trump, but what happened on July 13 should not prompt President Biden and the Democrats from doing all they can to defeat Trump in November.
The scope of Saturday’s tragedy will be fully appreciated if Trump returns to power.
Nothing that happened in Butler, Pennsylvania, makes Trump any more fit to be president than before the shooting.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant. He writes on politics, government, and, too infrequently, other subjects.
Art Cecil says
Trump “posed for photos”. What a moronic comment. If said before it was intended for the same Spy writer.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Trump told the SS agents to wait while he
gestured the crowd. Of course he did. For
him it was a perfect photo opp, ugh
Jeanne Everngam says
What a gift you have to know What Donald Trump said to the SS agents in the few seconds after he came so close to being assinated and surely was in total shock, as were all who were watching. Only an unhinged, full of hatred person would even Think of such an idiotic suggestion. Perfect Photo Opp? Not only was he hit with a bullet that should have killed him (admit it….you wish it had), he was immediately slammed to the floor by several agents! You are also insulting those brave souls to intimate that they would “wait” so he could pose for that memorable and Much-needed reassurance that he was okay! Our Country Needed to see that raised fist and the majority breathed a sigh of relief. You are angry that once again he proved what a strong man he is, and you are jealous that it was proven Live in front of millions. God truly was watching over him.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the article. I’m not sure what you mean by: “If said before, it was intended for the same Spy writer.” Donald Trump, I’m confident, never intended anything “for the same Spy writer.” I don’t think Trump knows me, and I hope he never knows me.
Have you seen that Trump, or someone associated with Trump, is selling sneakers with the “iconic image” on them?
I’m watching the RNC, and it is confirming what I wrote.
Thank you for commenting on the article, but please don’t call me a moron because I see recent events diffently than you do.
John Dean says
I’m not sure what you are trying to say with “If said before it was intended for the same Spy writer.”
I do understand that you don’t believe Trump posed for photos and find the idea that he might have “moronic.” Have you seen the $299 “Fight, Fight, Fight” sneakers that with the iconic photo on them? Ten pairs will come with Trump’s signature on them.
Wilson Dean says
I fear your assessment is correct that this event will only serve to bolster Trump’s position in the election. As you point out, all decent people agree that any violence against any politician is unacceptable. Nonetheless, among many in the MAGA cult and perhaps many swing voters as well, it will be viewed as additional proof of the prevailing narrative that Trump is the strong candidate (who can survive an assassination attempt) while Biden is the weak one (who can barely survive a debate).
In my view, Democrats need a radical change to their campaign because their current path will only lead to defeat. Biden has achieved remarkable success in many areas over his term as President, but he is not the messenger who can successfully defeat Trump in 2024. Democrats selecting a more vigorous candidate reflecting both vision and energy appears to be the only change that can reinvigorate the currently lethargic support that can lead to victory for the Democrats in the Congressional as well as Presidential elections.
Paul Rybon says
How can anyone rightfully say that the near killing of DT hasn’t changed him. That is a cynical statement and should be retracted.
Barbara Denton says
Donald Trump was not complicit in the Capitol event which by the way was not an insurrection. The Heritage Foundation created Project 2025. Trump was not involved. Please read the Republican Platform for the Republican policy agenda.
Trump’s retribution is winning in November. He did not call for Mark Milley’s execution. Ashley Babbit was murdered by a gun happy Capitol guard named Byrd. He got promoted for committing murder. No others died at the Capitol that day. No one attempted to assassinate Nancy Pelosi or hang Mike Pence. Thanks for lying about Trump commenting Pence should be hung. I would advise you to watch the January 6 tapes.
Democrats have shown no sign of being cautious in attacking him. Reid Hoffman’s chief advisor issued a tweet accusing Trump of arranging the assassination attempt. This came out immediately after the attempt. Joe Biden again accused him of racism, voter suppression and being a threat to Democracy at the NAACP meeting he addressed yesterday July 16.
Trump is not a threat to American democracy. Joe Biden and the Dems are. Trump is fit to move back into the White House. We are a Constitutional Representative Republic. Joe Biden ignores the Constitution and and waits for someone to sue to stop his illegal actions. You have every right to keep beating a dead horse, and I have every right to call you out on it.
Reed Fawell 3 says
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
” A martyr (Greek: μάρτυς, mártys, ‘witness’ stem μαρτυρ-, martyr-) is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an external party. In colloquial usage, the term can also refer to any person who suffers a significant consequence in protest or support of a cause.
In the martyrdom narrative of the remembering community, this refusal to comply with the presented demands results in the punishment or execution of an individual by an oppressor.
Political meanings
In politics, a martyr is someone who suffers persecution and/or death for advocating, renouncing, refusing to renounce, and/or refusing to advocate a political belief or cause. …”
Michael Davis says
It is impossible to argue with true believers in Trump. Several of whom have written comments here. In order to communicate, both parties need to use the same rules. One rule is to accept evidence. You have to agree that what you see is what is. To say Trump had nothing to do with the riot on January 6th is pure fiction. Watch the recording. If a true believer says he has nothing to do with it, there is nothing you can say or do to change that person’s belief.
Another rule that has to be agreed to is consistency. When Trump tells a Christian Nationalist gathering that he’s in favor of limiting birth control, you cannot believe him when he says the opposite in front of a different audience. He either does or does not believe birth control should be limited. He cannot have it both ways.
Imagine that two groups of people agree to play a game. One shows up in football gear expecting to play football. The other shows up in baseball garb wanting to play baseball. A game between these two groups is impossible.
This is what happens when one group only beleives what the leader says, and other group believes what they see. Communication is impossible.
In a prior series of comments in the Talbot Spy, one person responded to a true believer in Trump with: “Just. Stop.” It seems to me that is the best response anyone can give.
Studies have shown that it is possible to change the beliefs of a true believer. But it is hard, very hard, and it takes a lot of time. It cannot be done within the confines of this comment box.
Mickey Terrone says
Mr. Davis, your point about what happens when one group only beleives what the leader says, and other group believes what they see reminded me that true believers in Trump believe anything he says, even when he changes his story. They know he’s lying and make excuses for him or claim they are unaware, for example, of the details of January 6th and don’t know for certain of his deep involvement.
I think they all know how dishonorable he is, what a heinous human being he is and how little regard he has for others. Yet they will vote for him knowing he will demolish the US Constitution, end Social Security, minimize medicare, Affordable Health Act advantages and appoint deadbeat yes men in governmental offices. They know their 401ks are worth twice as much as they were 3.5 years ago and their prescription prices are probably lower than that point, too.
I firmly believe these people are deluded and believe Trump will protect them as whites by deporting immigrants of color, disinfranchising blacks, intimidating liberals and acting out his bigotry and racist believe – under the guise of evangelical Christianity quoting the Bible. Proclaiming that he will seek a military tribunal for Liz Cheney should have created an absolute furor among reasonable Republicans but it didn’t produce a hiccup of protest.
This is as low as it gets, but these “bypassed” Republicans have no other explanation for their blind support of this self-serving narcissist that they can articulate. That some of themm are clearly well educated enoough to know better is obvious. Republicans have effectively become accomplices to Trump’s efforts to make himself dictator.
Deirdre LaMotte says
I say anyone who supports Trump, no matter their economic situation, is a morally compromised and a dishonorable person. In every way. That person has no regard for manners, decorum, our blended nation of all people of all faiths, is hateful to anything that is not “their own”, has the audacity to inflict
dirty air, foul water, aggressive climate due to denial, taking away: a person’s personal health decisions (unless you are a male), voting rights, loving who one chooses, reading what one wants to read, divorcing a man who beats you because the GOP plans to eliminate no fault divorce, destroying the longest peace treaty in the world’s history, NATO, because the Russian handler of the GOP nominee wants to destroy democracies and stability around the world. Yes. These are facts.
And please. Stop calling it Fascist derangement syndrome. Gosh, I mean Trump Derangement Syndrome. Same with delusional followers.
Citizens are fighting for our democracy when $$$$$$$ is controlling the Republican Party and their pathetic nominee.
John Dean says
Thank you for the comment. You make good points. I appreciate you reading the piece.
Reed Fawell 3 says
Trump derangement syndrome?
Barbara Denton says
Of course it is TDS. We get to read these TDS articles every week. It ought to be really good now that Biden resigned from the campaign. Bring it on Mr. Dean. The dead horse you are beating is getting uglier by the week.