As Donald Trump spoke at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, shots rang out and Trump was removed from the podium by the Secret Service.
video:
This is the moment when shots are fired at Trump rallies. pic.twitter.com/wEPNhMA9O0
— Sarah Rhys Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 13, 2024
It would be no surprise if these were shot. Violence is not the answer, but Donald Trump has been trafficking in extremism, partisanship and violent imagery for a decade.
We still don’t know if these were shootings, but as someone who grew up and lives near Trump rallies, I can tell you, this is a security nightmare. The site is actually a giant playground surrounded by open fields and pastures.
If someone with malicious intent wants to harm the speaker, securing the area is difficult at best.
It’s hard to feel any sympathy for Donald Trump, but democracies engage in political violence. The fact that Trump engaged in political violence on 1/6 does not give anyone else the right to do the same.
Trump may try to play the victim and fundraising emails may be being prepared and sent, but don’t be surprised if Trump uses this as an excuse to not run again.
Donald Trump barely campaigned a week ago, so don’t be surprised if the laziest president turned laziest candidate in history stops holding campaign events altogether.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of Society of Professional Journalists and American Political Science Association
