WEST PALM BEACH — In the wake of a second possible assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the former president has shifted from calls for unity to a more combative stance, accusing Democrats of fueling threats against him with their rhetoric. Following the incident, in which a gunman was intercepted near Trump’s golf club in Florida, Trump and his allies launched a full-throated campaign to blame their political opponents for the danger he faces.
Trump’s immediate response marks a sharp contrast from his reaction after a previous attempt on his life in July. Back then, Trump briefly paused his campaign to call for unity, but he quickly returned to his usual aggressive rhetoric. This time, there were few such pauses. In interviews and social media posts, Trump argued that Democrats’ language — specifically from Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden — has directly endangered him.
“He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it,” Trump said in a Monday interview with Fox News Digital, referring to the alleged shooter. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country.”
Campaign Strategy Shift
Trump’s campaign team has wasted no time in amplifying this message. A video released by his team compiled instances of top Democrats labeling Trump a “threat to democracy,” while an email blast accused Harris of inciting violence. J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, reiterated the message at a Faith & Freedom Coalition event, emphasizing that the rhetoric from the left has led to real-life consequences.
“The big difference between conservatives and liberals is that no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months,” Vance remarked, calling for Democrats to “cut this crap out.”
While Trump’s advisers recognize the seriousness of the incident, they are pushing forward with the campaign schedule, conscious of the election’s proximity. Senior advisers Susie Wiles, Chris LaCivita, and Tony Fabrizio quickly addressed the shooting during a Monday campaign call but shifted the focus to polling numbers and upcoming events. As one insider noted, “This is the new reality of American politics.”
Rhetoric vs. Responsibility
Democrats have largely condemned the violence, with Harris releasing a statement praising law enforcement and calling for peace. However, many on the left argue that Trump’s own rhetoric has been inflammatory, citing his past threats to prosecute political opponents and his promotion of conspiracy theories.
Pat Dennis, president of American Bridge 21st Century, accused Trump of using the incident to stoke division for political gain. “Donald Trump, I think, in a lot of ways wants to figure out how to gain electoral advantage out of it.”
The Trump campaign’s call for increased Secret Service protection has gained traction among Republicans, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling for every resource to be deployed to protect the former president.
As Trump prepares for a packed campaign schedule, including town halls and rallies, his strategy has become clear: blame Democrats, increase security, and stay on message in the final stretch of the election.
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