Lindsey Smith ‘27
Editor On July 13, during a Pennsylvania Trump rally, havoc struck. Former President Donald Trump was shot with an AK-15-style rifle from a nearby rooftop while giving a speech. Following the incident two months later, in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump was guarded by the Secret Service as he was golfing. One of them spotted a rifle barrel sticking out of the fence, causing the gunman to flee and later get arrested.
Cape students have their own opinions on the matter. “I feel like this doesn’t represent America. Even if it did happen to Kamala or Biden it’s still not fair,” Junior Emma Keil stated.
After the first assassination, internet users began circulating conspiracy theories that it was staged. Beliefs such as fake blood being involved and the gunman using a BB gun instead of an actual rifle were posted.
Others alleged Biden was the one who ordered the assault on Trump. Eight days after the attempt Biden withdrew from the race. People began to question if the reason he did was because the gunman failed to kill Trump so Biden chose to give up.
Some Democrats wanted to strip Trump’s Secret Service protection, saying he didn’t deserve it. Photos from the event were taken out of context and many believed one of the Secret Service agents chose to cower behind instead of taking the bullet for him. Many posts claimed the shooting was staged to benefit Trump politically, and individuals even claimed they were the man who shot Trump.
Junior Owen Mattioni shared his opinion on the occurrence, saying, “Secret Service is a joke. It should’ve never happened in the first place.” Mattioni also vocalized, “I think this will help Trump out slightly due to the Biden administration's failure to protect the country.”
In the aftermath of the July 13 shooting, the September 15 assassination attempt also began stirring controversy. Democrats on social media expressed that Trump had just escaped an attempt on his life and that it was suspicious it had occurred again. They declared he was lucky and had “good fate”.
Junior Jack Townsend said, “It is ridiculous that there is this much gun violence in this country.” Townsend also added, “I am just glad Trump is okay.”
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