“In times of crisis, leadership is not defined by the absence of challenges, but by the courage to navigate through them with wisdom and resilience.” Peter F. Drucker. Sunday morning, July 14, 2024, at 7:04 am. As I prepared to go to the gym, my wife urged me to go to church to pray for world peace. “Switch on the BBC,” she remarked.
Little did I know our prayers would soon take on a new urgency. Doug Mills, the New York Times photographer who captured the Trump assassination attempt, had no idea his photos would raise profound questions about the future of American politics. What just happened? How was it possible? Will there be a return to normalcy?
To understand this shocking situation, one must grasp the critical markers of US presidential elections, ideology, and Trump’s evolving attitude. “I’m with you, the American people. I am your voice… and I will fight for you, and I will win for you. We will make America strong again. We will make America proud again.
We will make America safe again. And we will make America great again.” That was Trump’s 2016 promise, claiming he could solve America’s problems by draining the swamp. Four years later, Donald J. Trump rose to a pre-eminence amid prosecutions and reviving a tone that built a movement that became historic, with his Republican party. Here are key reflections since the tragic and horrific attempt on his life.
A Moment of Shock and Questions Unanswered
Who is Thomas Crooks, and was he acting alone? Do Americans need all those guns for their Second Amendment rights? When does Politics become deep politics and how deep is deep politics? How can Americans come together amid polarized opinions? These questions raced through my mind as I absorbed the breaking news of the assassination attempt on President Trump.
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Trump, a consequential figure in the US Republican Party, has a fan base extending beyond the continental United States due to his rhetoric, personality, and economic policies.
“They tried to impeach him, indict him, and prosecute him for political reasons. Now they are trying to kill him. Pray for President Trump,” my wife said. Her words echoed in my mind, but I couldn’t help analyzing the incident from a political perspective. Thomas Crooks has inadvertently elevated Trump to historic status, reminiscent of Ronald Reagan.
A Blessing in Disguise?
You cannot separate divine intervention in that few moments President Trump turned his head. “you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s actually too painful to tell” Trump said five days later after surviving an assassination attempt., saying that the bullet came a quarter of an inch of taking his life.
The Secret Service’s actions have strengthened Trump’s image, giving him the upper hand among his staunchest supporters and undecided Republicans. The polarization of American politics has reached a tipping point, and this attempt on Trump’s life may unify his divided party while deepening the rift with Democrats.
This perspective doesn’t condone violence but acknowledges that America remains a symbol of democracy. World leaders condemned the shooting, uniting in a common cause, potentially improving Trump’s chances to win the US presidential election.
The Road to Milwaukee:
On July 15th, Trump headed to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention as a valorous figure, ready to unify his base and secure the Republican nomination. “Make America Great Again,” once coined by Ronald Reagan, has been fully adopted by Trump. Until June 27th, 2024, during the live US Presidential debates, despite President Biden’s poor performance, it seemed possible for Democrats to win. Now, Biden’s base needs a Jack Bauer-like figure, a unifier who can transform Biden into the voter’s voice.
The Unconventional President:
Since losing the presidency to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump has remained an unconventional political figure. Unlike his predecessors, Trump has never hesitated to throw insults at his opponents, fueling polarized views on his suitability to lead the free world. His attitude toward immigrants, such as calling Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists, has deeply divided public opinion.
Despite his abrasive demeanour, Trump’s ability to connect with a certain demographic has been undeniable. His trade war with China and contentious remarks toward political opponents have kept him in the spotlight.
The Strategic Choice of J.D. Vance:
To win in 2024, Trump chose a running mate who contrasts sharply with his persona: J.D. Vance. Vance, with his blue-collar background and Yale Law School credentials, embodies the American dream. Growing up in the Rust Belt of Ohio, he understands the struggles of working-class Americans. Vance’s story is one of transformation and resilience, making him an ideal choice to extend the MAGA movement’s appeal to young voters and middle-class Americans.
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A Vision for the Future:
Should Trump win the presidency, Vance shall be the bridge to the rest of the world. He represents hope for those who still believe in the American dream, despite economic insecurities and societal challenges. His Ivy League credentials and personal story resonate with young college graduates struggling to pay tuition fees and college loans. Vance’s life experience liquidates racial categories, once unified beyond the racial prism by Barack Obama, until Trump’s America First rhetoric.
Can a Trump-Vance Duo Be Beatable?
Democrats will have to come with their best and brightest beyond their usual big dog Barack Obama conventional wisdom. The shooting on Saturday, the picking of J.D. Vance, and the dismissal of the case against Trump in Florida will all play into Trump’s hands. Many will believe it was all politically instigated despite evidence of the January 6th Insurrection in 2021. Trump is exceptionally talented at convincing voters that the vandalism and violence committed on January 6th had nothing to do with his supporters.
The Era of Political Polarization:
This extreme political polarization has created vengeance and hyperbole on both sides, leading to individuals like Thomas Crooks going beyond the imaginable. It presents one of the most challenging circumstances in protecting high-profile candidates as Americans head to November. It is a precarious time in US history, and the prospects of spiral retaliation make the Trump assassination attempt a threat to democracy. “Make America Great Again,” once a unique slogan from Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, resurfaces in the Trump era but is more associated with nationalists.
A Call for Peace and Unity:
As I recall the events since the CNN debate, Trump has grasped the upper trajectory. All I wish is for Americans to stay the course of peace for themselves and the rest of the world. Building democracy based on civil conversation and respecting different opinions is the only course for humanity. “It is the ballot rather than the bullet that should determine America’s destiny,” said Russell Long. History shall judge our ways for the sake of a peace-loving humanity.
