Is the use of violent language to blame? After an attempt on Donald Trump’s life, supporters blamed Joe Biden for calling him a threat to democracy. Opponents called this pure hypocrisy.
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Trump survives assassination attempt
Is the use of violent language to blame? After an attempt on Donald Trump's life, supporters blamed Joe Biden for calling him a threat to democracy. Opponents called this pure hypocrisy.
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Every so often something happens that changes everything.
We have just witnessed one of these. The defining picture of this presidential campaign will now be Donald Trump, his face bloody, fist in the air, mouthing the words "fight, fight".
It was taken after Trump escaped death by millimetres when a gunman opened fire at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The shooter, named as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead at the scene and his motive remains unknown.
Experts say it is likely Trump will get a boost in the polls. After Ronald ReaganThe 40th US President. survived an assassination attempt in 1981, he shot up eight points and went on to win the 1984 presidential election in a landslide.
He now has the perfect conspiracy theory: he can imply his enemies in the government got desperate enough to take him out for good.
Others blamed Trump opponents for inciting violence against him. Senator JD VanceJames David Vance is a Republican senator. said that Biden calling Trump a threat to democracy, had "led directly" to the assassination attempt.
The assassination attempt, experts say, is a turning point. Before, each side was just trading words. They may now feel they have an excuse to turn to violence.
Is the use of violent language to blame?
Yes! Both campaigns have been irresponsible, presenting each other as an existentialRelating to the state of human existence. Existential dread can refer to grappling with your own experiences of responsibility and death. threat.
No! Every political campaign involves intemperateExcessive in behaviour, or showing a lack of control over yourself. language. In a healthy democracy party leaders make up afterwards.
Ronald Reagan - The 40th US President.
JD Vance - James David Vance is a Republican senator.
Existential - Relating to the state of human existence. Existential dread can refer to grappling with your own experiences of responsibility and death.
Intemperate - Excessive in behaviour, or showing a lack of control over yourself.
Trump survives assassination attempt
Defiant: “The bloodied former President, his fist raised, flanked by an American flag, is already an indelible portrait of our era of political crisis and conflict,” said The New Yorker. Glossary
Ronald Reagan - The 40th US President.
JD Vance - James David Vance is a Republican senator.
Existential - Relating to the state of human existence. Existential dread can refer to grappling with your own experiences of responsibility and death.
Intemperate - Excessive in behaviour, or showing a lack of control over yourself.