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STRONGMAN TRUMP
Iconic pic of bloodied Trump punching air after assassination bid will secure victory against ‘weak’ Biden, expert says
Trump released a statement today claiming God saved his life in the attempted assassination
THE ATTEMPTED assassination of former President Donald Trump will spur on his campaign to election success, an expert told The Sun.
A "powerful" photo of the politician standing "bloodied but unbowed" sends a message that he is the stronger candidate than President Joe Biden, policy pro Alan Mendoza said.
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Alan, director of trans-Atlantic foreign policy think tank Henry Jackson Society, told The Sun that just the image alone could help secure Trump's 2024 bid for the White House.
He said: "He [Trump] had incredible presence of mind, having been shot, to show defiance and to wave his fist in the air.
"His first reaction is not to cower and to run off the stage, but... to remind everyone watching that he is the man... that will play well."
After five gunshots rang out at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the former President ducked behind his podium clutching the side of his face.
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But mere seconds later he rose up, punching the air with his fist and mouthing "Fight, Fight, Fight!" as hoards of people cheered from the stands.
One iconic shot captured the American flag rippling behind him at that very moment, as Secret Service agents fought to get him to safety.
Alan told The Sun: “Americans like strong, strong figures as presidents who are not frightened of threats."
It comes after weeks of bumbling errors from Biden's camp, as the current President continues to fumble his words during speeches and press conferences.
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What we know so far...
- A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former President
- Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service agents closed in
- The FBI confirmed it was an assassination attempt after snipers shot the gunman dead on site
- Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting - after a bullet struck his ear and left blood pouring down the side of his face
- A hot microphone captured the moment Secret Service agents screamed "Get down!"
- The shooter was later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks and pictured
- A witness claims he warned police about a man with a rifle on a nearby roof minutes before the attack
- President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting "sick," and suspended campaigning for the next two days
- Melania Trump broke her silence on the shooting and branded the gunman a "monster"
After calling Ukraine leader Zelensky "President Putin" last week, an expert told The Sun Biden even poses a "danger to the free world".
Around 20 Democrats from Biden's own party have already called for his resignation.
Alan said the bold "strongman pose" on Saturday was the former President's way of telling his supporters: "I'm not going to be derailed. America won't be derailed."
Trump's reaction to the shooting also signals to the American people that he might be able to "respond to other enemies in a similar way on a national level.”
Alan thinks if the picture continues to be the "defining image of this event", it "could very well help Donald Trump's campaign.”
Even Americans who Alan describes as "neutral" will be moved by watching a presidential candidate being shot at, seeing him bleeding and coming "very close to death".
Bullets fired at the former President missed him by mere centimetres, shot from just 150 metres away.
He shared a and doubling down on the strongman image.
In his second message to a loyal fan base after the shooting, Trump urged "FEAR NOT... in the face of wickedness".
The statement read like a rallying cry to his supporters to stand united "as Americans", and he even claimed to have been saved by God.
After weeks of bad press for Biden, this failed assassination bid could seal the deal for the some Americans, Alan says.
He thinks the contrast between Biden's recent image - a bumbling, ageing President who may not be up to the job, and Trump's "strongman pose" - could not be bigger.
Alan told The Sun: “There are people who clearly don't think [Biden] is fit to be president anymore.
“Donald Trump is only three years younger, but appears in contrast strong and vigorous and determined instead.
“And so I think that particular imagery is going to sort of have an impact on the race going further.
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"That, you know, iconic image of him shot, but still, bloodied as it were, but unbowed.”
For some who have been planning to vote for Biden come November, Alan thinks they may be rethinking their decision.
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Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," the president continued. "We cannot condone this."
Vice President Harris said she was "relieved" Trump was not seriously injured.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she continued.
Former President Obama said on X: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
"Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: "Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Britain's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a "miracle" that his friend is still alive.
Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.
"But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It's horrible, and yet somehow not surprising."
Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows "the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason".
Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was "appalled" by the events in the US.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said on X.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this."
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