WHAT

  • Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump was shot at a rally in PA.

TRUMPS STATEMENT

“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW SO FAR

  • gunman is dead
  • Trump “is fine”
  • one attendee is dead
  • another attendee is in critical condition

News Sources

  • oxjox@lemmy.ml
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    5 months ago

    Welp, seems like that’s it boys. Trump’s got this all locked up.

      • Jimmyeatsausage@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        I have no reason to suspect this was staged but,I mean, it’s a pretty compelling fit to the current narrative… Trump strong, Biden old and feeble. Plus, all that coverage of Project 2025, “Trump’s big weakness,” just died with that first gunshot. Evangelicals will eat this up with their “he’s Chosen” LARP. I can already imagine the “bulletproof” NFT trading card series…

        As long as Trump doesn’t die of a heart attack, this is only going to help him.

      • nfh@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        I don’t think it changes anyone’s mind, but it could affect who shows up to vote.

        • vividspecter@lemm.ee
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          5 months ago

          I don’t think it changes anyone’s mind, but it could affect who shows up to vote.

          On the plus side, increases in turnout generally favour the Democrats (which is why voter suppression by the Republican party is a thing). You’d think that would apply differently here given the context, but maybe the general population will start seeing the election with the seriousness it deserves.

        • girlfreddy@lemmy.ca
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          5 months ago

          Yup. After Reagan was shot there was a shit ton of sympathy surrounding him (and Brady, who ended up in a wheelchair).

          e to add – that was 43 years ago. O.O

          • vividspecter@lemm.ee
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            5 months ago

            e to add – that was 43 years ago. O.O

            In some ways, not much has changed since then. Reagan started his presidential campaign in an openly racist area of Mississippi with his State’s Rights speech and the footage of the event looks a lot like a Trump rally.

      • Eccentric@sh.itjust.works
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        5 months ago

        I could see someone saying “well I don’t really agree with Trump’s extremism but at least Trump supporters haven’t tried to kill Biden so maybe the left is the problem”. It’s not as easy to wave his fearmongering ravings about the left off as conspiracy theories–someone on the left (I assume) actually tried to kill him. He’s a martyr now.

        I really truly want to hope that you’re right but damn if this doesn’t make me super pessimistic about Biden’s already shaky support.

      • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        I think it’s worse than that.

        It’s going to motivate even more movement in house/senate races. I think this is a guarantee that the legislative branch turns total trump.

        • PugJesus@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          “This event helps him” and “Trump victory is inevitable” are two entirely different things

          • Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            5 months ago

            I’d love to be wrong, but the polls were already grim. How many beatings do Biden’s numbers take before (general) you call it inevitable?

            The polls in October/November matter way more than the polls now, of course. It’s just difficult to not see this as one more thing in a string of bad news.

            • PugJesus@lemmy.world
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              5 months ago

              I think this means that getting a new Dem candidate has gone from “Vital” to “Literally impossible to do without”.

              • ComicalMayhem@lemmy.world
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                5 months ago

                new Dem candidate won’t have the time to gain the traction they need. they won’t have the chance. very unfortunate but the time for a new candidate is passed imo.

                • PugJesus@lemmy.world
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                  5 months ago

                  We don’t have a choice. Public perception of Biden is too severely damaged. We take this hail mary and change candidates, or we lose.

              • catloaf@lemm.ee
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                5 months ago

                Trump is about to get a lot of airtime. Any change in candidate now is going to be massively overshadowed.

                • PugJesus@lemmy.world
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                  5 months ago

                  Even better. Biden stepping down now can be quiet. We don’t choose our candidate for another month.