Assassination attempt failed to kill Trump, but made him stronger

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while on the campaign trail on Saturday.

The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the U.S. political landscape, may have inadvertently bolstered Trump’s bid for the presidency, echoing historical instances where surviving an assassination attempt has reinforced a candidate’s political fortunes.

Deep wound in American democracy

With the assassination attempt on Trump, American democracy has once again suffered a deep wound. The assassinations of John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 were undoubtedly pivotal moments in world history that were discussed and highlighted for many years.

At that time, scenarios were constructed around the Protestant-Catholic divide or the Vietnam War, but today, the question arises whether this has largely shifted to a conflict between globalists and nationalists.

Levent Ersin Oralli

Trump’s historic bid for re-election

Trump, having served as President in the past and now running for office again after losing the election, is undoubtedly in a hurry to become the first figure to be re-elected for a second term in this sense.

Furthermore, he was leading in all public opinion polls against his opponent Biden before the assassination attempt. At this point, the assassination incident will positively impact Trump in the elections.

Especially with this traumatic event occurring just four months before the election, it is likely to significantly strengthen Trump’s campaign, mobilize many lobbies and particularly bolster Trump’s fundraising efforts.

Potential impact on Trump’s candidacy

If we consider the decision that will be finalized in the court case against Trump in September, it is undoubtedly possible to assess that this assassination attempt could even influence the court’s decision.

Trump’s lawyers appealed the sentencing decision in July. The preliminary decision will be made at the beginning of September, and the final decision will be made in mid-September. In this election atmosphere, Trump plans to visit 15 more states in July and August.

If the decision to be made in September creates the impression that Trump will not withdraw from the presidential race, even if the motive behind the assassination attempt is personal enmity, I think the incident will work in Trump’s favor.

Levent Ersin Oralli

Media, public perception

According to public opinion polls, the leading candidate in November is Trump, and this assassination attempt will undoubtedly highlight Trump not only in the public eye but also in the media, prompting Democrats to reconsider their choice of Biden.

Biden’s gaffes, media scrutiny

In recent times, especially with the NATO summit, Biden’s gaffes have been increasing daily, and journalists are now able to ask questions containing negative accusations much more strongly and easily. This indicates that the aura of untouchability around Biden is somewhat cracked.

Turning point for Democrats?

At this point, if we consider the assassination attempt as a development that will give Trump momentum, I think this incident could also create a basis for Democrats to question their candidacy once again in the elections.

Dr. Levent Ersin Oralli is a faculty member at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University