The assassination attempt on former President Trump has shocked the USA. Events are unfolding rapidly. What exactly happened? And what consequences will the attack have on the election campaign?
A gunman shot former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania. The 78-year-old was injured in the incident on Saturday (local time). Here is an overview of what we know and the aspects that are currently unclear:
How bad is Trump’s injury?
Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform, which he co-founded, that a bullet had hit him in the upper part of his right ear. Standing upright and supported by Secret Service security guards, he left the stage with a bleeding ear. He raised his fist in the air. Trump was given a medical examination. A few hours later, his campaign team released a video showing him coming down the stairs of his plane as it arrived in New Jersey.
Was Trump lucky in his misfortune?
It is too early to say for sure. But his statements initially suggested that he was only slightly injured by a bullet in his ear. So a bullet that had entered the body a few centimeters away could have – in the worst case scenario – hit him directly in the head.
Who fired the shots at Trump?
The FBI identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from near Pittsburgh in the state of Pennsylvania. His hometown of Bethel Park is about 75 kilometers south of the attack site in Butler. He was killed by security forces in Butler. Media reports suggested that he was quickly shot by snipers. The Secret Service initially did not reveal any details about the shooting.
What was the perpetrator’s motive?
There was initially no reliable information on this. According to US media, the shooter was registered as a Republican, but he is said to have donated to a Democratic group at least once. Investigators are likely to take a close look at the man’s mental state, his finances and his online activities, among other things. Investigators reportedly also found explosive devices – or at least parts of them – in the perpetrator’s car and at his home.
How did the perpetrator manage to shoot Trump?
The suspected shooter opened fire from an “elevated position” outside the venue. Videos suggested that he fired from a nearby roof. According to US media, investigators seized a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle at the scene. It was initially unclear whether the suspected perpetrator had purchased the weapon legally and how much ammunition he was carrying. It was also not initially known how skilled the man was in handling the weapon.
Were the security measures sufficient?
Former President Trump is protected by the Secret Service – however, the security measures are not as extensive as for a sitting president. A detailed review of the operation in Butler is expected in the coming weeks and months. A key question is likely to be whether the security guards should have (better) controlled the “elevated position” with an apparent direct line of sight to Trump on the podium, even though it was outside the event area.
Who else was injured in the attack?
One spectator was killed in the attack and two others were injured and were initially in a critical condition. According to police, the victims were adult men. Panic broke out in the audience after the incident. The venue was evacuated.
Will Trump continue his election campaign?
Trump wants to defeat the Democratic incumbent Joe Biden in the presidential election in early November – less than four months from now – and secure another term in office. This Monday, the Republican Party Convention begins in Milwaukee, where Trump is to be officially chosen as his party’s candidate for the election. The convention is to take place as planned. The party and Trump’s campaign team announced this in a joint statement. So everything indicates that Trump will continue his election campaign.
Will Trump use the assassination for his election campaign?
Trump has always portrayed himself as a martyr and as someone his political opponents are trying to get rid of by any means possible. He successfully used the four criminal proceedings against him to mobilize his supporters and collect donations. He is therefore likely to be trying to systematically use the attack for his own ends. A few hours after the shooting in Butler, his team sent the first campaign text message with the words: “I will never give up” – and a direct link to the donation website.
Is a Trump election victory now more likely?
We don’t know. Immediately after the event, there were no new polls that would allow an assessment of the impact of the attack on voters. Among Republicans, who generally like Trump anyway, he could find even more support in the future. But it remains to be seen whether undecided voters – or even some Democrats – will be more enthusiastic about him.
How does Biden react?
The US President strongly condemned the attack on Trump. “I am grateful to hear that he is safe and well,” he said immediately after the incident. He prayed for him and Trump’s family and for everyone who was at the rally. This kind of violence has no place in America. He later appeared in front of the cameras and said: “This is sick, this is sick.” According to the White House, Biden and Trump spoke on the phone personally.
Could the attack lead to further violence?
We don’t know. The upcoming political reactions are also likely to play a role: Will politicians try to use the violence to incite their supporters? In any case, US Vice President Kamala Harris warned of an escalation of violence after the attack. “We must all condemn this heinous act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to further violence,” the Democrat warned on X.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
