Trump’s Near-Assassination

Hi Global Recap readers,

July 14th was a historic day for the US.

Not for a reason to celebrate, but because it marked the first near-assassination of a US presidential candidate since March 30, 1981, when Republican President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr.

Here, I’ve compiled all the theories, memes, controversies, and facts surrounding the incident. Hopefully, there are some things you didn’t already know about it.👇

(Note: The email is getting cut off on some mobile apps due to its length. There is more news after the segment covering the near-assassination.)

🇺🇸 United States
Trump’s Near-Assassination

The recent rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, turned chaotic when a gunman opened fire, attempting to assassinate Trump.

🔘 Incident. A gunman fired multiple shots at Trump’s rally, resulting in one death and two critical injuries.

• While the exact number of shots fired by the shooter and the US Secret Service’s snipers remains uncertain, videos of the incident show 3 shots, quickly followed by a rapid succession of at least 5 more.

• Trump moved his head just as the first shot was fired, which spared him from more serious injury, receiving only a wound to his ear. Had he kept his head still, he likely would have been killed.

• The most memorable moment of the incident occurred when Trump, being escorted off the platform by the Secret Service, pumped his fists in the air several times while mouthing "fight, fight, fight.” The crowd reciprocated by repeatedly chanting “USA.”

• The attack is being investigated as a possible domestic terrorism incident by the FBI.

• Authorities also found a “rudimentary” explosive device among the shooter’s possessions.

🔘 Shooter. The shooter, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents.

• He was a 20-year-old person from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

• He used an AR-15-type rifle, legally purchased by his father.

• Crooks was a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation.

• He had no known mental health issues or ideological ties.

• He was a registered Republican, but on January 20, 2021, the day Biden was sworn into office, he reportedly donated $15 to a progressive political action committee (per AP).

• Two months ago, he earned an associate degree from the Community College of Allegheny County.

• According to his former classmates, he was “almost bullied every day.”

• Authorities are still trying to find the motive of the attack.

🔘 Casualties. The attack left one man dead and two others critically injured.

• Corey Comperatore, a father and volunteer firefighter, was killed while protecting his family.

• David Dutch and James Copenhaver are in critical but stable condition.

Immediate Responses

Mainstream Media (Controversial)

• CNN, along with other media outlets leaning to the left, initially minimized the seriousness of the situation with misleading headlines. This led to a wave of criticism from many on X.

• CBS anchor Margaret Brennan criticized Trump for not “lowering the temperature” in his first Truth Social post after the assassination attempt.

Other Responses (Controversial)

• Representative Steven Woodrow, who represents Colorado’s State House District 2, deleted his X account after disparaging those who sympathized and prayed for the safety of Donald Trump:

• Ashley Nerbovig, a journalist from Seattle reportedly posted this on X before deleting her account:

President Biden’s response

Many on X criticized President Biden for taking two hours to respond to the shooting, while they watched prominent figures such as Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Barack Obama react to the violence in real-time.

• When a reporter asked Biden at the end of his statement about the shooting if he considered it an assassination attempt, he refused to label it as such, saying he didn’t “know enough.”

  • By this point, we had photos of Trump bleeding and testimony from a man who administered CPR to someone whose head had been blown.

• The next day, President Biden delivered an Oval Office address, where he talked about the need to “lower the temperature.”

  • Note: Around [4:33] he comes so close to saying “Make America Great Again,” before stopping himself.

TikTok Responses

• One TikTok user (@cele2t3) expressed her frustration that the shooter, who “finally had the balls to bring a pew pew,” missed former President Trump. The original video on TikTok is now deleted.

• Another TikTok user (@ucouldcallmegod) also criticized the shooter’s aim.

• A user named @super99x yells at the shooter for missing the “one shot at greatness.”

• Here’s a compilation of some other posts.

Former President Trump’s Responses

• Shortly after the incident, Trump shared his firsthand account of what happened and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and those who were injured.

• The following day, Trump shared a more measured message, expressing gratitude for God’s help in his survival and reaffirming his commitment to working for the United States.

• Despite the recent assassination attempt, Trump chose not to postpone his trip to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, scheduled for July 15-18.

Renewed Attention

• Tucker Carlson previously claimed that the US was “speeding towards” an assassination of Trump, which many dismissed as a far-right conspiracy theory.

• In 2017, comedian Kathy Griffin faced backlash for posting a photo on social media showing her holding a beheaded head of then-President Trump. She is now being criticized again:

• Biden reportedly told donors on July 8, “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”

  • In an interview with NBC on Monday, Biden acknowledged that his recent debate performance was a “mistake.” He clarified that he meant that the attention should be on Trump, not his own recent disappointing debate performance.

Controversies

• Soon after the incident, terms like “BB Gun” and “Staged” were trending.

  • Some users on X claimed that Trump was not attacked with a real gun but with a BB gun.

  • Others quickly doubted the authenticity of Trump’s injuries, asserting that the “blood” on his face was fake.

• The shooter positioned himself on the rooftop of a building located 430 feet (130 meters) from where Trump was speaking.

• He was seen crawling onto the rooftop with a rifle, with other spectators filming the incident. Many are now questioning why the Secret Service did not intervene to prevent him from doing so.

• It has also been revealed that a local police officer encountered the shooter seconds before shots were fired but withdrew after the shooter allegedly pointed a gun at him.

• However, even before the police officer’s encounter with Crooks on the rooftop, Beaver Country police took a photo of Crooks 30 minutes before the shooting because he was considered “suspicious” at the time.

• Videos also show that the counter-snipers supposedly had their sight on the shooter before he started shooting at Trump. Why did they not engage, if true?

• Several female Secret Service agents near Trump’s car appeared confused about what to do, with one notably struggling to holster her weapon.

• The Director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, is also under scrutiny following the violence. Previously, she pledged to achieve 30% female recruits by 2030. Now, her DEI hiring practices are being blamed for the security failures at the rally.

• Thomas Matthew Crooks appeared in a BlackRock advertisement in 2022, prompting speculation about whether certain “deep-state” actors were involved in the assassination attempt. BlackRock has since withdrawn the ad.

Memes

• Before her appointment by the Biden administration, the Director of the Secret Service served as the Senior Director of Global Security at PepsiCo. Elon Musk commented on this by saying:

• CNN’s half-truth headlines were mocked by this meme:

• Elon Musk posted a painting the next day depicting the assassination of Julius Caesar, accompanied by a typical CNN caption that downplays the severity of the event.

Photos of the Incident

📊 Poll

Please watch this video on CNN featuring Republican political writer Scott Jennings, who criticizes the left’s dangerous rhetoric claiming that Trump’s election would end democracy and suspend the constitution.

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer counters by saying that Trump also contributes to heated rhetoric.

• Jennings responds with, “Who’s in the hospital?”

Who do you think is right in this exchange?

🇺🇸 United States
Trump Clinches GOP Nomination

Donald Trump has officially been nominated as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, with a surprising pick for his VP.

🔘 Nomination. Trump secured the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

• Trump was formally nominated by cheering GOP delegates.

• Ohio Sen. JD Vance was announced as his vice presidential running mate.

• Trump will face Joe Biden in the November election.

🔘 Vance. Although Vance was welcomed as the Vice President pick, not everyone online was happy with this decision.

• He was a “never Trumper” in 2016. He called him “dangerous” and “unfit” for office.

• Vance even called Trump “America’s Hitler.”

• However, when he was elected to the Senate in 2022, he became a staunch ally of Trump.

• He has a clear and focused speaking style, which may help convey Trump’s messages more effectively. This stands in stark contrast to Vice President Kamala Harris.

  • On Monday, the Biden campaign stated that Vice President Harris is prepared to debate JD Vance.

Click here for more facts about Vance.

🔘 Convention Themes. The convention aimed to present a more optimistic message.

• The focus was on themes to broaden Trump’s appeal among moderate voters and people of color.

• The shooting shifted attention to political violence and the country’s stability.

🔘 Protests. Demonstrations took place around the convention.

• Protesters highlighted issues like abortion rights, economic justice, and the war in Gaza. Many were seen carrying the Palestinian flag.

• Despite the recent assassination attempt, state law still permitted open or concealed carry of guns just outside the Secret Service perimeter.

🇫🇷 France
Olympic Flame Ignites Paris

The Olympic flame, initially ignited on April 16 at a ceremony held at the historic site of the Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece, has now reached Paris.

This event has stirred both excitement and some frustration among locals as the city prepares for the 2024 Summer Games.

🔘 Arrival. The torch relay reached Paris on Bastille Day, with soccer legend Thierry Henry kicking off the festivities.

• The flame was first seen during the traditional military parade on the July 14 national holiday.

• Henry carried the torch down the Champs-Elysees, marking the start of its journey through the city.

• The relay will visit landmarks like the parliament and Notre-Dame cathedral.

🔘 Disruption. However, it’s not all fun and games. The Games have caused significant disruption in Paris, with many residents expressing frustration.

• Large parts of central Paris are closed off, leading to traffic gridlock.

• Around 44,000 metal barriers have been installed along the Seine for the opening ceremony.

• Some residents find it physically impossible to leave their homes due to the barriers.

🔘 Mixed Feelings. While the torch relay has been a success, not all Parisians are enthusiastic about the Olympics.

• Many families have left the city to avoid the event.

• A survey found that 57% of Parisians feel little to no enthusiasm for the Games.

• Chief organizer Tony Estanguet has worked hard to counter the pessimism and protect the vision of the Games.

The opening ceremony will take place on July 26.

🇨🇳 China
China’s Economic Troubles

China’s top officials are gathering in Beijing to tackle the country’s economic challenges.

🔘 Challenges. China is facing a slew of economic hurdles, from a property sector crisis to high local government debt and weak consumer demand.

• The latest GDP growth data shows a slowdown, with 4.7% growth in Q2, down from 5.3% in Q1.

• Social frustration is mounting due to economic problems from years of stringent pandemic controls.

• Recent high-level personnel shake-ups have added to the uncertainty.

🔘 Meeting. The “third plenum” is a significant political gathering where key economic reforms and policy directives are announced.

• About 200 Central Committee members and 170 alternate members are attending.

• The focus is on “deepening reform” and advancing “Chinese-style modernization.”

🔘 Reforms. Observers are not expecting sweeping reforms but more targeted efforts to address structural issues.

• Potential fiscal reforms could reduce pressure on local governments and bolster revenue.

• Steps to boost consumer spending and increase household income are anticipated.

• Enhancing technological self-reliance is a key focus amid trade tensions with the US and Europe.