The blood on Donald Trump’s face was a shocking and vivid reminder of the fine red line that lies between democracy and violent chaos in even the world’s most powerful country.
The gunman’s bullet struck the former president’s right ear before Secret Service agents rushed to the stage and hauled him down. And now, the image that emerged of him injured, fist raised in defiance, the stars and stripes flying above, may help to propel him back into the White House.
Had it struck him just an inch away from where it did, the shot could have led to Trump’s death, sparking a very real chance of America – bitterly divided, with a heavily armed population – sliding into widespread violence, insurrection, and possibly even a second civil war.
The moment of danger for the United States came on a blisteringly hot late afternoon in Pennsylvania, where a crowd of tens of thousands had waited for hours at the Butler Farm showground for Trump to arrive. With little shade available, medics moved among the crowd as elderly rallygoers suffered under the blazing sun and Maga caps were taken off for heads to be sponged.
Any torpor turned into messianic fervour when Trump got onto the stage, settling quickly into the vaudeville pattern of his rallies. The faithful cheered at his boasts, booed at mentions of Joe Biden, and exclaimed in ire when he spoke of a stolen election and attempts to silence him with “fake” criminal charges.
Then came the shots, muted cracks one after the other, at least eight times. Those of us who have covered violence in conflict zones and at volatile gatherings hit by gunfire are familiar with what unfolded – the initial incomprehension, a brief stillness, and then an eruption of confused fear, shouts and screams.
この記事は The Independent の July 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Independent の July 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Carse justifies England faith as the archetypal bold pick
If you won a boxing match after your opponent continually punched themselves in the face, how much credit can you take?
Tenacious Diallo the key to Amorim pressing machine
Old Trafford has not seen anything like this before.
Gold King Cole packs the Bridge with merry old souls
In the 83rd minute, the ball rolled to the feet of Cole Palmer in a bubble of space outside Aston Villa's box, and the crowd snapped to attention.
Vibrant Anfield marks the changing of the Guardiola
There was a lull in the noise, a break in the Anfield atmosphere, when a defiant chant emerged from a corner near Stefan Ortega’s goal.
What is so daunting about Spain's new data checks?
Q You have written about the new “red tape” for visitors to Spain. So, as well as your usual passport details you will give a contact number, address and email. Not exactly the Spanish Inquisition, is it?
Sectarian clashes claim at least 130 lives in Pakistan
At least 130 people were killed in deadly sectarian clashes in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram district in spite of a tentative ceasefire, days after gunmen opened fire on a convoy of vehicles carrying Shia Muslims, local officials said.
Coalition government likely in Ireland as count proceeds
Fianna Fail say decisions on power-sharing for another day’
How Syria's forgotten war is back on the world's agenda
Many believed the country was lost in an unsolvable conflict, until everything changed in a matter of days, writes Bel Trew
Assad regime scrambles to halt Syrian rebels’ advance
Civilians reportedly killed by Russian and Syrian airstrikes
Mother of poisoning victim says she knew she would die
Lawyer Simone White succumbed to the effects of methanol while backpacking in Laos with two of her childhood friends
