The attack on Donald Trump is news the world over. Be it newspaper, magazines or 24-hour television news, he is everywhere.
In the race for US presidency, Trump first succeeded in raising more money in the past three months than his likely rival Joe Biden.
And now, an attempted assassination of the former US president has spawned an instant frenzy.
The frenzy is also because it was Trump’s luck and alertness that saved him. Fortunately, the would-be killer failed, but look at the distance of the shot! How could that happen?
Days after the incident, Trump said: “It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”
The assassination attempt on Donald Trump
A lone gunman attempted to assassinate Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 14. This was unarguably the most serious attack on an American president or ex-president since 1981.
[On March 30, 1981, US President Ronald Reagan was leaving the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., when several shots were fired. Reagan was wounded when one of the bullets ricocheted off of the limousine, striking him under the left armpit.]
Trump was injured from the July 14 incident, with blood appearing on the right side of his face. A rally attendee who was not as lucky, got killed in the firing.
In the video that emerged from the incident, the Republican presidential contender was seen grabbing his right ear and then getting to the floor.
He was immediately swarmed by Secret Service agents who piled on top of him to protect him.
Trump acted before the security could perform and evacuate him. The alertness of the sniper neutralized the shooter within seconds.
Not just a security lapse
The man who survived an attempt on his life is a candidate for one of the most powerful offices on earth. This man has also been the president of the United States of America.
It is shocking that a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man accessed a roof with a gun just 400 feet from the stage where Trump was speaking. How can a former president’s security fail?
Of course, Secret Service is under scrutiny over the gunman’s access to a clear view of Trump.
The protocol requires surveying and securing all nearby structures to prevent anyone reaching a person under the agency’s protection.
Reactions to attack on Trump
Condemnation of Trump rally shooting but naturally crossed party lines, with President Biden saying, “There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence, ever. Period. No exceptions.”
Taking a different tangent, techie Arnav Gupta from Bengaluru, tweeted: USA has like 999 different security agencies but still can’t keep a president safe from bullets. Crazy country with crazy gun laws.
This tweet invited a comment which said, “Ear shot convinces me to believe it was staged, great execution if it was staged.”
But, even as false claims and conflicting conspiracy theories emerge from Trump shooting, it is too soon to term this a political comedy.
The unfortunate incident must have accountability. It was inexcusable. The nation must know the motive of the gunman who opened fire during Trump’s rally, grazing the former president’s ear, killing one bystander and critically wounding two others.
The incident highlights the division of security responsibilities between the Secret Service and local law enforcement at the Trump rally, as well as the malfunctions that ultimately allowed the gunman to get onto the roof and fire that shot.
This shooting anyway is not a normal US shooting incident. There has been an attempt to assassinate a top American politician amid a volatile presidential campaign. This changes everything. TIME magazine aptly put a new cover, saying Donald Trump survives shooting with nation on edge.
Last Heard: Donald Trump supporters are showing their support for the former president in a new way by wearing bandages on one of their ears — a tribute to the bandage Trump has been wearing since the assassination attempt.
Neeraj Bhushan
More than a bystander. Chocolate soldier. Pineapple lover. Loves music & movies. Curious about news & trends.
