The assassination attempt on President Trump shocked Americans of both parties, with many viewing the close call as an opportunity to reflect on the state of the nation and turn down the heat on political discourse.
Fox News Digital spoke to Americans in New York City, Detroit, Michigan, Washington, DC and Milwaukee, Wisconsin about their reactions to the incident, how President Trump has handled the backlash and their predictions about what the assassination attempt means for the country.
Tom, from Milwaukee, told Fox News Digital that it’s “really sad that the country has gotten to a point where someone has to attack the former president,” and that while he won’t vote for Trump in November’s presidential election, he’s sad that it has come to this and will continue to pray for the former president.
“I’m hopeful the Republican Party will have a great convention here,” he said of the Republican National Convention taking place in Milwaukee this week, noting that Trump has signaled his intention to soften his political rhetoric and “we should all follow that.”
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Americans told Fox News Digital they were shocked and in disbelief to hear that someone had attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. (Fox News/AP/Evan Vucci)
John, a Milwaukee native, described the weekend assassination attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Pennsylvania as a sad moment. The violence materialized based on how Trump has been discussed since 2015.
“There’s a lot of rhetoric going around and some people are responding to it,” he said. “It’s not surprising, but it’s a sad moment.”
“I think he handled it well,” he added of Trump’s defiant response, “and you have to give him credit for his showmanship and for wanting to let his supporters know he was OK and for taking advantage of the situation and capitalizing on it.”
John said Americans should use this incident as an opportunity to think more carefully about what needs to happen in a democratic society, where “we decide as citizens what we want and don’t want through voting, not violence.”
Luke, from New York City, called the situation in the country where people are becoming violent over politics “very sad” and “very tragic.”
“It’s really terrible that our country is so divided,” he said. “I’m not a Trump supporter or a Republican, I’m a far-left person, but nevertheless, of course violence is always terrible.”
“Our country is in such a dire state,” he added. “Frankly, it’s embarrassing to be an American right now.”
Aaron, of Birmingham, Michigan, told Fox News Digital that unfortunately the assassination attempt on President Trump is a reflection of the times.
“Some people are mentally ill, some are agitated by all the talk. [around Trump]”If you call Trump Hitler dozens or even hundreds of times, it would seem to many people that it would make sense to remove a Hitler-like figure before he could cause so much damage,” he said.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump was shot and carried off the stage on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“Some people, like this shooter, actually believe the left-wing narrative,” he added.
But Aaron said he was moved by the sight of the 78-year-old man, blood streaming from his face, falling to the ground, then getting up and raising his fist at the crowd, showing his fighting spirit, passion and love for his country.
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“I was just amazed and impressed and thought this is the leader we need right now,” he said.
Jiang, who lives in suburban Philadelphia, told Fox News Digital in Washington, D.C., that while the incident was shocking in some ways, it wasn’t a shock given the “hostility” that has been “fostered” by the media and politicians in recent years.
“It was solemn and horrifying and very sad,” she said. “I felt relieved for him and I’m proud of him. He has incredible reflexes and incredible courage. He’s a warrior. He’s endured a lot of abuse trying to lead this country.”
“This is not how you solve a problem, but he made the best of a terrible situation,” she said, adding that it offered a glimpse into Trump’s character. “I think he was protected by angels, I really do,” she added.
Brianna, from Detroit, said she initially didn’t believe the news when she saw it online because advanced technology has so warped our perception of reality.
“This has been insane, it’s unpredictable and it’s world-shaking,” she said. “I can’t believe it. I’m shocked and stunned.”
Secret Service agents escorted former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump onstage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Olivia, who lives in New York City, said she also thought the story was fake until she saw photos of the incident.
“I saw the photo and I thought, of course, this is the most patriotic photo ever taken of this man, what a classy thing to do,” she said, “but it certainly seemed like total satire. And again, I had no idea if this was real. But this is real.”
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Dimitri, who lives in New York City, said he initially believed the shooting was real but was shocked when he saw the video of the incident, calling the photo of Trump with his fist raised and the flag in the background “amazing.”
“I do think he has become something of a martyr,” he said. “The perpetrator turned out to be a Republican, but he has a very strong case. But I think a narrative of violence and so forth against him will be developed and that will help him electorally.”
Chris, from California, told Fox News Digital in New York City that Trump’s reaction was exactly what he expected from the former president.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump was hurriedly escorted off the stage during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I definitely think it was a photo op with the American flag in the background,” he said, but he criticized Trump for not showing the same enthusiasm “to try to pass laws that would stop this from happening.”
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“It’s really hard for me to sympathize with him because he’s always supported the NRA and supported pro-gun control legislation,” Chris said. But, he added, “I think a lot of people definitely felt sympathy for him.”
Kevin, from Philadelphia, said he was “very sad” to see the attempt on Trump’s life, but that his response was noteworthy.
“I know that if I got shot, I’d pump my fist and stand up. That’s a really remarkable reaction,” he said.
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Kendall Teets and Nicholas Lanham reported from New York City, Joshua Q. Nelson from Detroit, Michigan, Kira Moron from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Gabrielle Hayes from Washington, DC.
