Republicans predict rally shooting paved way for Trump to White House
2 Min Read
The recent incident with Trump could be his ticket to the White House, some Republicans are suggesting.
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. (AP)
Congressional Republicans believe that former President Donald Trump is heading back to the White House, especially after the Saturday night shooting which may have paved his way back.
In a brief interview with Politico, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) predicts that since Trump survived the attack, "he just won the election".
If not win the election, the incident would definitely "solidify support for the former president," other Republicans said.
“This will energize the base more than anything. And he, you know — with his fist in the air and he didn’t want to leave. And he’s yelling, fight, fight, fight. That’ll be the slogan,” said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), referring to photos and videos of Trump that quickly circulated online.
HOLY SHIT
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) July 13, 2024
DONALD TRUMP JUST GOT SHOT! pic.twitter.com/vyzbZrNb5W
The shooting, which several GOP lawmakers immediately labeled as an assassination attempt, is sending shockwaves through an already tumultuous election. Republicans, who had stayed quiet amid Democratic infighting, were quick to blame the opposing party’s rhetoric for the attack on Trump.
Some spread conspiracy theories, like Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), who claimed that Biden made the orders, referencing the president's figurative remarks saying that Democrats needed to put Trump “in a bullseye.”
This comes amid a Democratic divide over Biden's electability. Earlier this week, Democratic donors expressed concern that Joe Biden's refusal to step down is "drying up" money for the November election campaign, endangering the party's chances of defeating Donald Trump.
The statement came two days after the 9th Democrat, US Representative Mikie Sherrill, called for Biden's withdrawal from the presidential elections.
Several other Democratic lawmakers have retracted their support for the current president, such as Rep. Jerry Nadler, who urged Biden to step down during a phone call on Sunday.
