By Alecsandra Costin
A former president with blood on his face, surrounded by Secret Service, yet triumphant, raising his hand in victory. This is how Donald Trump left the stage where he was giving a speech in Pennsylvania.
A probably historic moment that will likely decide the fate of this year's presidential elections in America. However, the incident at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, raised numerous questions. An eyewitness reported seeing the attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, climbing onto a roof a few minutes before the attack and alerted the police, but to no avail.
The witness says that although it was evident the attacker was armed and was only a few meters away from him and the police, the police seemed not to notice him. Was the attacker intentionally ignored by the police?
At the same time, many international publications talk about the weak security at the event. As noted by the witness interviewed by the BBC, there were no secret service or other security personnel on the nearby buildings. Why? This is a question that each person can answer based on the information already made public.
After the attack, Donald Trump was seen raising his hand in victory, a gesture that generated mixed reactions. While his supporters interpreted the gesture as a symbol of resilience and confidence, critics pointed out that the moment was not suitable for such triumphant displays.
But was it truly a triumph or not? Has the assassination attempt already decided the new president of the United States? Can we expect more such incidents in the near future? We can only wait and see the election results.
In the history of the United States, there have been numerous assassination attempts on American presidents.
Andrew Jackson (1835): The first known assassination attempt on an American president occurred in 1835, when Richard Lawrence attempted to shoot Andrew Jackson. Both of Lawrence's pistols misfired, and Jackson subdued him.
Abraham Lincoln (1865): Successfully assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.
James A. Garfield (1881): Shot by Charles J. Guiteau and died months later due to medical complications.
William McKinley (1901): Shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz and died eight days later.
Theodore Roosevelt (1912): Although no longer in office, Roosevelt was shot during an election campaign but survived.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933): Before his first term, Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt by Giuseppe Zangara, who missed Roosevelt but killed another man instead.
Harry S. Truman (1950): Two Puerto Rican nationalists, Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo, attempted to assassinate Truman at Blair House. Torresola was killed, and Collazo was captured.
John F. Kennedy (1963): Successfully assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas.
Richard Nixon (1974): Samuel Byck attempted to hijack a plane to crash it into the White House, but the attempt failed.
Gerald Ford (1975): Ford experienced two assassination attempts in the same year. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to shoot him, but her gun malfunctioned, and Sara Jane Moore fired a shot but missed Ford.
Ronald Reagan (1981): Shot and critically wounded by John Hinckley Jr., but he survived.
These are some of the most notable incidents, but there are many more. The timing of these attempts varied—some during election campaigns, others during presidential terms. Some resulted in the death of the president, while others in injury. However, in all cases, the political and economic implications were significant, reflecting high stakes, much like the recent attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump bears similarities to the 1975 assassination attempt on President Gerald Ford.
Here are several reasons why these incidents are comparable:
Attacker's Location: In both cases, attackers sought to execute their attacks from elevated or unexpected positions. In Trump's case, assailant Thomas Matthew Crooks was observed climbing onto a roof before the attack. In Ford's case, one of the attackers, Sara Jane Moore, fired a shot from a crowded area, while Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to shoot him at close range.
Security Issues: Criticisms about inadequate security measures arose in both incidents. Witnesses noted the absence of security agents on nearby buildings during Trump's rally. In Ford's case, attackers managed to get dangerously close to the president before being stopped.
Outcome of the Attack: Both presidents survived the assassination attempts. Trump sustained a minor ear injury, while Ford was unharmed due to swift security intervention.
Public and Political Reaction: Both incidents sparked mixed reactions from the public and the media. Trump's gesture of raising his hand in victory was interpreted differently by supporters and critics. Similarly, public reactions to Ford varied based on perceptions of security measures and the circumstances of the attacks.
Tense Political Context: Both incidents occurred during periods of intense political tension. Ford's attempts took place in the 1970s, a time of political and social turbulence in America. Trump's attempt occurred amid heightened political polarization and heated rhetoric.
These similarities highlight how attempts on presidents' lives transcend time, revealing recurring challenges in security protocols, public discourse, and the volatile political climates in which they occur.
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