Chronicle Editor
Tendai H. Manzvanzvike, Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE attempted assassination last weekend of former United States President Donald J. Trump, could have been a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. This was not some cheap fake, but real shooting aimed at a presidential candidate as he addressed a political rally.
If the would-be assassin, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks had succeeded, only God knows the full import of his appalling act. The assassin was neutralised, making it difficult for investigators to know his motive and whom he was working with.
The international community was stunned. President Emmerson Mnangagwa joined other world leaders in condemning the dastardly act. Writing to President Biden, President Mnangagwa said he had received the news of the attack with “shock” and “revulsion.”
Trump, meanwhile has remained tough, defiant, resilient and courageous. In a show of unity and support, Republicans this week fully endorsed him as their 2024 presidential candidate.
Nicky Haley, who was one of the presidential contenders emphatically endorsed Trump: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was his first White House press secretary – now turned governor, said: “God spared him because He is not done with him yet”.
Trump also believes that his survival was due to divine intervention. Writing on his social media platforms he says: “… it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness … It is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined and not allowing evil to win.”
It also looks like the tide has surely turned. Trump and his party are turning the near-death experience to best advantage. Addressing delegates to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee in Wisconsin early this week, Senator Tim Scott acknowledged: “On Saturday, an ‘American lion got back on his feet and roared'”. The conference hall thundered with “Fight! Fight! Fight!” which was Trump’s call soon after the shooting.
The injured Trump is currently attending the RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But like the biblical Joseph, Trump must be telling his haters: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” (Genesis 50:20-21, New Living Translation).
The US election environment is already highly toxic and polarised. Five days before the attack on Trump, President Biden said in an interview: “I have one job and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”
Analysts’ first reaction to the failed assassination attempt was that the assassin had just handed Trump the 2024 election. Veteran journalist, Tucker Carlson said, “Let’s be honest, Trump just won … It seems like everything has aligned in a space of three days that Donald Trump will be the next president. There’s no doubt about it”.
Speaking with Tucker Carlson, gospel musician John Rich just said: “Somewhere, there’s an angel with a bullet hole through his wing. Thank you, Lord for protecting DJT.”
Delegate after delegate at the RNC has come out in full support of Trump and the general assessment is that the Republican party has not been so united in a long time.
American sports television personality, Stephen A. Smith, a Democrat voter thinks that last weekend’s unfortunate event “just handed Donald Trump the election.”
Speaking on his podcast, Stephen A. claimed: “I’ve been in media for 30 years. You can’t buy a better photo than what Donald Trump has at his disposal as we speak. Look at the video of him raising his fist. Look at the crowd going crazy behind him. Look at them saying, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” And then listen to the pundits on TV talking about how strong, how vibrant, how courageous and they were using these words. And not coincidentally, it was the antithesis of what they’ve been saying about President Biden … Donald Trump is untouchable.”
A former CIA covert intelligence officer, Andrew Bustamante, speaking on his EverydaySpy Podcast declared soon after the assassination attempt: “As of today July 13, 2024, former President Donald Trump just won the presidential election by surviving the assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania and nobody realises it yet”.
Bustamante lined up the reasons why he thought so: “Donald Trump literally took a bullet for our country. All arguments that he is a villain, anti-American, an opponent of American belief systems – all that now fades away, because someone took a shot on Donald Trump … We can say with high confidence say that the Donald Trump of tomorrow will win elections as the narrative takes a new form”.
He added: “The CIA is all about making probabilities. I assess the probability of a Trump victory to now sit at approximately 90 percent.
“That means there is a 90 percent chance for Donald Trump to win because of today’s events, because of his defiance, because of the professionalism of his team, because his campaign can say that he has taken a bullet in support of democracy and the future of our country … He understands the value of the momentum he just created … America wants to see a strong, defiant leader … We watched a political villain turn into a political hero and America loves to back a hero. The coming weeks will be telling about the power of the Donald Trump campaign: more support, more money, more donors, more positive media coverage.”
Billionaire, Elon Musk endorsed Trump moments after the assassination attempt. Writing on his X handle he said: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his speedy recovery.” This opened floodgate for other billionaires to follow.
It remains to be seen how the Democratic Party will respond to what seems like an unstoppable momentum for the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump. The world is watching with keen interest.
Online Reporter