Supporters of former President Trump are reflecting on his past, especially after the infamous “Battle! Fight! Fight!” moment. This comes after he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt last summer, with images that reportedly slipped past Pulitzer Prize judges.
Photographed by Evan Vucci of the Associated Press, the striking moment captured Trump rising after being shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. With blood on his face, Trump defiantly raised his fist before being escorted away.
Charlie Kirk, a notable conservative figure, commented, “Evan Vucci’s photo from last summer’s assassination attempt is iconic. It’s arguably the most famous image of the last decade,” referencing its powerful impact.
Kirk continued, “But it made Trump look good, so the Pulitzer Prize Committee chose not to award it for Best Breaking News Photo of 2024,” expressing his disbelief that such a significant photo was overlooked.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) expressed similar sentiments, suggesting that bias influenced the jury’s decisions at the Pulitzer Committee. “It’s tragic,” he remarked.
Other conservatives shared the view that the photos were downplayed because they portrayed Trump in a favorable light.
Some photo editors from major news organizations voiced concern that historical images could be misused as propaganda, which might promote specific social agendas.
An unnamed editor warned that “it’s dangerous for media organizations to continue sharing such content,” as reported by Axios.
The Pulitzer for News Photos ultimately went to Doug Mills of the New York Times for his images from the same event.
Mills captured a moment when a bullet was fired by an individual named Thomas Crooks, coinciding with Trump speaking on stage. “I happened to take a picture just below the president while he was speaking, with a wide angle lens. A massive flag was waving just above him,” Mills recounted, sharing how he unknowingly documented a significant event.
He reflected, “I was bumping into the shutter when I heard the pops, then saw him reach for his ear. He looked down, saw the blood, and I thought, ‘Dear God, he was shot.'” Mills used a Sony A1 camera to capture the pivotal photo that earned him the Pulitzer.
