On July 13, 2024, a shocking attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, left the nation reeling.
We are still grappling with the reality of how close we came to absolute chaos.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old with a confusing background, almost altered the course of American history with a few deadly shots from a rooftop.
The FBI, in its ongoing investigation, has yet to determine Crooks’ motives.
But here’s what we do know:
Crooks, who had no apparent mental health issues, fired several shots during Trump’s rally, narrowly missing the former president.
He did, however, kill Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, and injure two others before Secret Service sharpshooters took him down.
Trump was struck by a bullet in the upper part of his right ear, leaving him bloodied but alive.
This incident wasn’t just an assassination attempt; it was a potential catalyst for national chaos.
Imagine if Crooks had been successful.
Where would we be right now?
The US would be in complete disarray, potentially on the brink of the civil war that has been simmering beneath the surface of our society for years.
If Trump hadn’t moved his head at the last split second, we might have witnessed the end of everything as we know it, ushering in a very dark time indeed.
The Immediate Fallout
In the aftermath, President Joe Biden attempted to rise to the occasion, pausing his campaign activities and addressing the nation.
In his prime-time address, Biden urged Americans to lower the political temperature and condemned the attack.
His calls for unity were necessary, but let’s not ignore the elephant in the room.
Biden’s own political future was hanging in the balance as calls for him to drop out of the 2024 race had been growing louder by the day.
And then, just like that, the tragic event seemed to buy him some time.
Democrats who were vocally calling for Biden to step aside suddenly went silent.
It was as if the attempt on Trump’s life had, ironically, given Biden’s campaign a new lease on life.
But don’t be fooled—this unity is fragile at best.
The Shooter’s Background
The narrative around Thomas Matthew Crooks is bizarre and disjointed.
A registered Republican who once donated $15 to a progressive campaign, Crooks had no significant online presence and no clear ideological motives.
His family is cooperating with the investigation, but so far, there’s nothing concrete to explain why he targeted Trump.
Reports describe Crooks as a loner who was bullied in school, a member of a local sportsmen’s club, and an employee at a nursing home.
It’s a portrait of a young man who seemed harmless on the surface but harbored enough anger or confusion to attempt an assassination.
The Political Weaponization
Biden’s remark about not jumping to conclusions regarding Crooks’ affiliations now seems almost laughable.
Here’s a president who has been accused of weaponizing the Department of Justice, telling us not to jump to conclusions.
Had Crooks been successful, the Democrats, and perhaps Biden himself, would have borne the brunt of the blame.
Trump’s survival isn’t just a win for him; it’s a bullet dodged for Biden and, indeed, for all of us.
Imagine the fallout if Trump had been killed.
The accusations of political orchestration would have been immediate and fierce.
The already deep divisions within our country would have widened to an unbridgeable chasm.
The calls for unity from the Oval Office would have been drowned out by the roar of conspiracy theories and violent reprisals.
A Fragile Unity
Biden’s call for a step back in political rhetoric is necessary, but let’s not pretend it solves anything.
We’ve seen a growing number of violent political acts in recent years—from the assault on Nancy Pelosi’s husband to the January 6 riots.
Each incident chips away at our collective sanity, pushing us closer to the edge.
As Trump stood on that stage, blood dripping from his ear, and raised a defiant fist, it wasn’t just a moment of personal triumph.
It was a symbol of resilience, a reminder that despite our deep political divisions, we must find a way to resolve them without resorting to violence.
The attack on Trump should serve as a wake-up call for all Americans.
We need to tone down the rhetoric, engage in civil discourse, and remember that our political differences should be settled at the ballot box, not with bullets.
Conclusion
In the end, we narrowly avoided disaster.
Trump dodged a literal bullet, and in doing so, we as citizens, and yes, even Biden, dodged a metaphorical one.
The unity we’re seeing now is tenuous and must be nurtured carefully.
We cannot let this moment slip by without making meaningful changes to how we engage in politics.
If we don’t, the next time we might not be so lucky.
This incident isn’t just a blip in the news cycle—it’s a stark reminder of how fragile our democracy is and how easily it can be shattered.
Let’s take this opportunity to come together, not just in words but in actions, to ensure that our political arena remains a place for ideas and debate, not violence and bloodshed.
Here’s my take, what’s yours?
