07/15 – International News Story & Update

On Saturday, July 13, shots rang out at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, leaving former President Donald J. Trump injured. 

Trump was shot at multiple times, with one bullet striking him in the right ear. [Reuters] 

The bullet that struck Trump was only an inch from hitting his brain, and had the President not turned his head away from the crowd only a split second before, the former President would not be alive today. 

In an exclusive interview given to the New York Post, Trump recounted the event, stating, “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead.” [The Independent]   

This incident marks the most serious attack on a former or current president since Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded in March 1981. [The Economist]

The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania. His political affiliations are unclear, as records show he is a registered Republican who has previously donated to Democratic groups and campaigns. [ABC News] 

Crooks used an AR-15 from a rooftop about a football field-length away from the stage, firing multiple shots at the former President and grazing his ear. Crooks was shot and killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper within three seconds of opening fire on Trump. 

The attack also claimed the life of 50-year-old former fire chief Corey Comperatore, who was shielding his family in the crowd, reports AP News. Two other bystanders were seriously injured in the incident. [AP News]

An investigation has been launched and is ongoing to uncover more details about the planned assassination. The direct motives of the shooter remain unknown.

International Reactions 

The shooting of Donald Trump generated a wave of international response, with numerous world leaders condemning the attempted murder of the former President.

“I’m sickened by the shooting at former President Trump. “It cannot be overstated – political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans.” – Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau 

“I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.” – U.K. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer 

“The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. My thoughts are also with all of those who were affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy.” – German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz 

“The desperation of the international left, which today sees its nefarious ideology expiring, is not surprising. In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda.” – Argentinian President, Javier Milei 

“Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people.” – Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi 

“This wasn’t just an attack on Donald Trump. This was an attack on a candidate for the presidency of the United States. This was an attack on America. It was an attack on democracy.” – Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu 

“An attempt on the life of Donald Trump, a heinous crime. One that can only be condemned, and which shows how serious the global challenges to democracy are right now. Violence in any form and anywhere must not prevail.” – Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy 

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement claiming they are “following the shooting incident” and that Xi Jinping has “expressed sympathies to former President Trump” [U.S. News] 

A Kremlin spokesperson issued a statement saying ““We do not believe that the attempt to eliminate and assassinate Trump was organized by the current authorities. But the atmosphere around candidate Trump provoked what America is confronting today.” [U.S. News]

The spokesman also said there were no plans for Putin to call Trump in connection with the incident. [Reuters]

Opinion: 

The immediate reaction to the assassination attempt displayed the prevalence of misinformation and conspiracy theories. The Left claims it to be a staged set-up to sway public opinion and garner support. Meanwhile, many on the Right believe it to be an inside job due to the security breach and Secret Service misjudgment, as well as the astonishing lack of vulnerability for a former President.

Overall, the entire country should feel extremely fortunate that Trump’s life was not taken on live television. Such an event would have undoubtedly plunged our nation into absolute chaos, with protests and riots likely to have ensued. The likelihood of counter-violence and a response from Trump supporters would have been dangerously high, throwing the highly contentious and consequential November election into utter plight. 

Both parties and the entire country feel the urgent need to lower political tensions as polarization has reached a clear and evident boiling point. Political violence should never be a characteristic of American democracy, and it is extremely alarming to see this trend emerging more frequently over the last few years.

Former President Trump should make it clear in his first public speech about the attack, likely at this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, that no one should retaliate or seek vengeance in his name by any means. He must emphasize, as his presidential opponent should, that political violence has absolutely no place in any democracy, especially in the United States. 

In light of the recent incident, the Biden campaign has temporarily taken down Democratic ads openly criticizing Trump. This reaction follows a public address to the nation on Sunday by President Joe Biden, who condemned the attack and emphasized the need for national unity and to “lower the temperature in our politics.” [The Guardian]

This shocking event has thrown the Democratic presidential campaign into short-term disarray. Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris canceled and postponed planned speeches for early this week. 

It is clear that following the solemn mood surrounding Saturday’s attack, the Biden team is now forced to pivot away from outright criticism of former President Trump. 

Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have labeled Trump as an “existential threat” and the biggest possible danger to the future of American democracy. [Vox]

It is hard not to attach some blame to this aggressive rhetoric in light of the recent attempt on the former President’s life. 

It will be interesting to see how the Biden campaign adapts after a terrible few weeks, including an abysmal debate performance and ongoing calls from senior Democrats for his resignation from the nomination.

With Donald Trump now surviving an assassination attempt, public opinion will likely shift in his favor as we approach November’s election. Meanwhile, Biden’s campaign and chances of reelection seem shakier and less likely than ever.

– P.T.