WHAT
- Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump was shot at a rally in PA.
TRUMPS STATEMENT
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW SO FAR
- gunman is dead
- Trump “is fine”
- one attendee is dead
- another attendee is in critical condition
News Sources
- CNN - Trump rushed off stage after shooting at Pennsylvania rally
- AP News - Live updates: Shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as assassination attempt, AP sources say
- The Hill - George W. Bush condemns ‘cowardly attack’ at Trump rally
- Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) on Xitter - video interview with witness who tried to warn police before shooting happened
- Sky News - Gunshots reportedly fired at Donald Trump rally - as former president rushed off stage (Article confirms one rally attendee dead)
- Reuters - Biden says he is grateful to hear Trump is safe, has been briefed on shooting
- OAlexanderDK on Xitter - The shooter was on a roof approximately 125m or 400ft from where Trump was standing.
- JakeMRosen on Xitter - An emergency room doctor I spoke with tried to save someone’s life in the crowd
Eh, the people who will see this as a reason to vote for him were planning to do so already.
I don’t think it changes anyone’s mind, but it could affect who shows up to vote.
Yup. After Reagan was shot there was a shit ton of sympathy surrounding him (and Brady, who ended up in a wheelchair).
e to add – that was 43 years ago. O.O
In some ways, not much has changed since then. Reagan started his presidential campaign in an openly racist area of Mississippi with his State’s Rights speech and the footage of the event looks a lot like a Trump rally.
Reagan and the Moral Majority. Good times.
/s
On the plus side, increases in turnout generally favour the Democrats (which is why voter suppression by the Republican party is a thing). You’d think that would apply differently here given the context, but maybe the general population will start seeing the election with the seriousness it deserves.
I could see someone saying “well I don’t really agree with Trump’s extremism but at least Trump supporters haven’t tried to kill Biden so maybe the left is the problem”. It’s not as easy to wave his fearmongering ravings about the left off as conspiracy theories–someone on the left (I assume) actually tried to kill him. He’s a martyr now.
I really truly want to hope that you’re right but damn if this doesn’t make me super pessimistic about Biden’s already shaky support.