Donald Trump was speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when shots rang out and Trump was pulled from the stage by the Secret Service.
Video:
This is when shots were fired at Trump’s rally. photo.twitter.com/wEPNhMA9O0
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 13, 2024
If these were shots fired, it’s not surprising. Violence is not the answer, but Donald Trump has trafficked in extremism, partisan division, and violent imagery for a decade.
We still don’t know if these were shots fired, but as someone who grew up and lived near the location where Trump held his rally, I can tell you it’s a security nightmare. The location is literally a giant carnival surrounded by empty space and pasture.
If someone with bad intentions wants to harm a speaker, keeping the environment safe is difficult at best.
It is hard to feel sympathy for Donald Trump, but democracies to use political violence. The fact that Trump used political violence on 1/6 does not give anyone else the right to do the same.
Trump will likely try to play the victim, and fundraising emails are likely being prepared and sent out right now, but don’t be surprised if Trump uses this as an excuse to stop campaigning.
Donald Trump used to campaign barely one day a week. Don’t be surprised if the laziest president, who has become the laziest candidate in history, stops hosting campaign events altogether.
![Jason Easley](https://www.politicususa.com/wp-content/uploads/gravatar/jason-photo.jpg)