Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempt

An Update

Last night, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed. He was apparently a registered Republican. He was armed with an AR-15 and fired eight times. He was 20 years old.

It’s unclear whether Trump’s ear was bloodied by a bullet or from shrapnel.

The shooting produced an indelible image of Trump bloodied yet standing defiant with his fist raised.

Reactions reflect the polarization of our times. With no evidence, people suggested the event was staged, basically a photo op for Trump. Tell that to the one bystander who was killed and another two who were critically wounded.

The usual cry of “violence has no place in America” was nonsensical, given America’s violent history and its ongoing facilitation of violence across the globe.

Some commentators have opined that Trump, in his defiant stance, won the 2024 election last night. Though I wouldn’t go that far, Trump’s supporters will certainly be even more highly motivated to vote for him in November, whereas motivation within the Democratic Party is on the wane.

“We’re off our rockers,” my wife said this morning, and as usual she’s right.

Here’s hoping that this will be the last violent event of this highly polarized election season.