Then and Now: Targeting Trump

During the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, President Trump was, once again, the focus of an assassination attempt, this time right in front of the Washington press corps.

The dinner itself was described as a vibrant affair. It had been over a decade since Trump attended, largely staying away from left-leaning media events. He anticipated a night filled with mockery among the guests and potentially some violent protests outside.

True to his expectations, protesters gathered near the hotel, holding signs that ominously echoed historical figures like John Wilkes Booth, with messages reading “Death to the Tyrant.”

As frightening as it sounds, they were very close to achieving their goal.

The three individuals accused of trying to shoot Trump and the individual who targeted Charlie Kirk all fit a troubling mold—deranged leftists who intended to mirror the anger of many Democrats towards Trump and his supporters, almost as if they were aspiring to be heroic figures of a revolution.

Take Austin Tucker Martin, for example. He previously attempted to assassinate Trump and even invaded Mar-a-Lago looking for him. The latest would-be assassin, Cole Thomas Allen, left behind a manifesto where he referred to Trump as “Hitler.” His disorganized rant included various left-wing conspiracies relating to Russia, legal myths, and controversial topics surrounding Epstein, as if trying to compile all of Trump’s alleged wrongdoings into one narrative.

Allen’s attempt, reminiscent of James T. Hodgkinson—who was a former Bernie Sanders campaign volunteer—was yet another instance of a deluded fantasy of mass violence. Hodgkinson tried to attack Republican lawmakers at a baseball game, resulting in injuries to four individuals, including a leading House Republican.

Despite attempts by some Democrats to undermine the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service did manage to respond effectively, though they did struggle to prevent the gunman from nearly reaching the auditorium doors.

It seems there’s a belief on the left that the safety of elected officials, particularly Trump, and the general public isn’t as important as ensuring that undocumented immigrants aren’t returned to their home countries.

Motivations behind assassination attempts are often complex and mixed, but they are never without purpose.

From the pervasive influence of social media to street actions, aspiring assassins pick up messages from the elite. This is particularly troubling when public figures like celebrities and politicians label Trump as a fascist or a destructive force that “must be stopped by any means necessary.” Late-night talk shows often joke about past assassination attempts as if they’re mere entertainment, while others even accuse Trump of orchestrating these attempts.

The depth of their animosity is palpable.

The left has ramped up aggressive rhetoric against Trump for more than a decade. Politicians, entertainers, and wealthy figures seem in a race to outdo one another with brutal fantasies of violence against him.

If such rhetoric were directed at former Presidents like Obama or Biden, many of the speakers would likely face legal repercussions.

How Many Ways to End Trump?

So, just how often have prominent leftists fantasized about inflicting violence on Trump?

People like Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, and Robert De Niro have expressed wishes to physically assault him. Kathy Griffin’s infamous image of herself holding a decapitated Trump head and Marilyn Manson’s comments on violence only add to this disturbing trend.

New York actors even dramatized Trump’s assassination in a staged production of “Julius Caesar.” Other celebrities have referenced violence in various forms—Mickey Rourke and Snoop Dogg made comments about physical assaults while George Lopez and others joked about killing Trump.

Johnny Depp, too, played with the idea of assassinating Trump in a historical context. Not to mention, big names have made light of violence against him, further fueling this dangerous narrative.

Even President Biden, in a moment of bravado to donors, said if they were in high school, he would “take Trump behind the gym and beat the hell out of him.”

The Secret Service has been commended for its quick reactions. However, it’s quite alarming that a gunman was able to enter a hotel with a weapon and move about the lobby unhindered at one point. This isn’t an isolated incident; there have been several close calls involving threats to Trump’s life during Biden’s presidency.

Recall how Biden refused Secret Service protection for Robert Kennedy Jr. simply due to political rivalries, which raises questions about his priorities.

In January of 2024, Rep. Bennie Thompson introduced a tongue-in-cheek bill titled “An Act to Deny Unlimited Security and Allocation of Government Resources to Convicted and Highly Disgraced Former Wards,” which added fuel to discussions about stripping Trump of his security following his presidency.

Trump as Hitler?

Remember how Trump was once depicted on the cover of a major publication, photoshopped to look like Hitler? When challenged, that publication doubled down, offering no apologies for such incendiary visuals.

As media voices loudly proclaimed comparisons between Trump and Hitler, it’s disconcerting to think those who attempted to take his life might have believed they’d be celebrated as heroes for eliminating what they saw as a fascist threat.

Trump has uniquely become the only U.S. president to face multiple assassination attempts, with more than two years of his term still remaining.

Sudden bursts of left-wing violence have become distressingly familiar since Trump took office. There have been attacks on property, officers, and demonstrations featuring overt anti-Semitic themes, further escalating tensions.

The Disease of Violence

We should also mention public figures like Hassan Piker, who embrace violent rhetoric as a means of expressing political discontent. It’s alarming that individuals like him openly endorse theft and violence against those they label as oppressors.

Piker previously hinted at a willingness to see Trump removed from the political landscape, indicating that such sentiments are more than mere jokes.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently urged for reduced political temperature, but his own actions fall short when he posed with a baseball bat while criticizing Trump’s policies.

Perhaps he could suggest that Democratic colleagues refrain from inciting violence through media portrayals of Trump or inflammatory language.

For years, we’ve been told by the left that “words matter,” especially in relation to censoring misinformation or harmful speech. Ironically, it’s often their own rhetoric that has lowered standards of violence and emboldened would-be killers.

Recall the would-be assassin Nicholas Roske, who plotted an attack against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, showing how extreme sentiments have led to real threats. Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, recently denounced Trump as a fascist during public appearances, ignoring past criticisms of his own conduct.

In the past 22 months, Trump has been the target of three assassination attempts. Given the current trajectory, more may follow before he leaves office.

What’s driving this?

The far-left establishment seems to believe that drawing comparisons between Trump and Hitler, coupled with an acceptance of street violence, will inspire protests, fuel anger against immigration enforcement, and rally Democrats, all while aiming to diminish Trump’s popularity. This seems far easier than outlining an alternative agenda.

So, we should brace ourselves for even more of this leftist chaos.