FBI officers check the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent attempt on Donald Trump’s life.
Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich / EPA
The political impact of the second attempt on Trump’s life will probably be far different than the first.
Police direct traffic near Trump International Golf Club on Sept. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla., after gunshots were reported in the vicinity of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump.
(AP Photo/Stephany Matat)
An apparent second assassination attempt on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reflects a disturbing development in American politics.
Some members of Congress use social media to disparage the system they’re part of.
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2 scholars analyzed more than 1 million official Tweets from members of Congress − and found a lot of antidemocratic language that damages the very institution the politicians belong to.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Aug. 6, 2024.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The summer of 2024 seems to be ranking high in terms of drama, debate and as one of the hottest — if not most contentious — summers in U.S. political history.
Erik S. Lesser/EPA
Democracy benefits from constructive, nuanced political discourse. But the lures of extreme, polarising rhetoric are often too great.
Trump as a pinup idol?
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History is dotted with instances of strongmen who burnish their image or crack down on opponents after attempts on their life.
Social media fuelled conspiracy theories often exist in echo chambers, where misinformation was amplified often without verification or critical examination.
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Conspiracy theories aren’t based so much on objective facts, but rather through often loosely connected bits of information. That makes them potent sources of misinformation.
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The question of Biden’s viability as the Democratic presidential nominee is unsolvable. And he’s arguably made things worse trying to prove otherwise.
Bosom buddies: the man who once called Donald Trump ‘America’s Hitler’ is now his vice-presidential pick.
EPA-EFE/Justin Lane
JD Vance and Nikki Haley are two prominent Republicans who have abandoned their opposition to Donald Trump.
(From left): Yitzhak Rabin (Avi Ohayon/Israeli government/EPA); Shinzo Abe (Keita Iijima/AP); Benazir Bhutto (Olivier Matthys/EPA); Pim Fortuyn (Fred Ernst/AP); Jo Cox (Yui Mok/PA/EPA)
Killing a prominent individual rarely brings about the widespread change the act is intended to achieve.
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In his 2022 school yearbook photos, Thomas Crooks bears little resemblance to the assassins of our collective imagination
With effort, it’s possible to shift the national discourse and reduce political violence.
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When political discourse is devoid of facts and high on demonization, it’s no surprise that political violence is the result. There is a way out, but it’s slow and will take effort.
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Politicians and other influential actors are amplifying conspiratorial content – potentially contributing to increased distrust in the US political system.
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Trump supporters are unlikely to want any debate around gun reform – they support the status quo, even when their leader is almost killed.
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Analysis of the rhetoric coming out of the Trump and Biden campaigns shows high levels or toxicity, particularly from the Republican.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign event on July 13, 2024.
Associated Press
Lone wolf attackers like Matthew Thomas Crooks pose the greatest security threats in the country – and are hardest to prevent.
Donald Trump gestures as he is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents while leaving the stage at a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa., after an assassination attempt.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Why does surviving political violence often bolster popular support? Because evading death can make politicians seem super-human, even god-like.
Many people believe Donald Trump’s political rhetoric has caused division and anger.
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Division, hatred and – increasingly – violence have become becoming hallmarks of politics over the past few years.
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The GOP appears keen to paper over any differences and double down on their support for Trump.
AP Photos/Evan Vucci/Joe Rosenthal
Evan Vucci’s Trump photograph is powerful for its composition and its nod to history – and how it could shape our history of the future.