Pysu Gets More Bad News
Donald Trump Gets More Bad News…C Legal Storm Intensifies for Trump With New Criminal Indictments
It has been nearly a year since the chilling and jaw-dropping moment in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a would-be assassin opened fire at then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. This moment, which many feared could have been fatal, became a defining chapter in Trump’s political comeback as he overcame the terrifying assassination attempt. In an exclusive excerpt from the upcoming book
2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, obtained by The Washington Post, Trump shared his perspective on the events that followed the shooting, revealing just how close he came to death.
The book explores not just the immediate aftermath of the shooting, but the long-lasting impact it had on Trump’s image, his political fortunes, and his relationship with former critics. This assassination attempt, which took place on July 13, 2023, set the stage for a remarkable transformation in Trump’s campaign.
The Butler Assassination Attempt: A Close CallA Bullet Fired at Trump
On that fateful day, Trump had just stepped off the stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a sniper, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, took aim at the former president. Positioned on a rooftop about 100 yards away from the rally, Crooks fired at Trump. The shot rang out, sending immediate shockwaves through the crowd and the Secret Service. Trump was caught in the crosshairs of a life-threatening assassination attempt.
In an extraordinary display of professionalism and quick action, Secret Service agents immediately rushed Trump, tackling him to the ground and securing him away from the sniper’s line of fire. They quickly evacuated him from the venue, and the chaos that ensued was the stuff of nightmares. The attack on Trump was the last thing anyone had expected, yet it happened so suddenly and with such precision that even those closest to him feared for the worst.
The book reveals that, despite the severity of the situation, Trump was surprisingly composed. “Trump was sitting up in bed, still wearing his suit. A bandage covered his ear. There was blood everywhere,” the book recounts. The amount of blood was so severe that even his closest aides were convinced that Trump had been shot multiple times. The bleeding was intense and far beyond what anyone had anticipated, which led to serious concerns about his condition.
Trump himself later recalled the harrowing experience, commenting in an interview that the blood loss was so substantial that it almost felt like he was losing control. “It was bleeding like a b****,” Trump said, referring to the amount of blood he was losing. However, despite the traumatic events and the grave situation, Trump showed a level of resilience that was almost unexpected.
The Humor That Followed: Trump’s Resilience in the Face of Danger
One of the most striking aspects of Trump’s recovery was his ability to inject humor into the situation, even in the face of danger. Within hours of the assassination attempt, Trump began making jokes, lightening the mood in what could have been a grim and somber hospital room. His aides, who were initially shaken by the gravity of the situation, began to relax when they realized Trump was alive and in relatively good spirits.
According to the book, this was a defining moment for Trump’s resilience. “They realized he was alright because he started making jokes,” the authors write. His ability to regain his sense of humor, even in the midst of such a traumatic event, reflected his mental strength and determination to survive. This humor became a hallmark of his recovery, and his aides quickly saw that Trump’s toughness extended beyond just his physical survival—it was a mental and emotional strength that helped him recover.
Trump’s Comeback and the Transformation of His CampaignFrom Candidate to Survivor
What was initially seen as a near-fatal event quickly became a cornerstone of Trump’s political comeback. In the days that followed the assassination attempt, Trump’s image shifted dramatically. He was no longer just a candidate seeking re-election; he had become a survivor of a potentially fatal attack. This brush with death, coupled with his remarkable recovery, reinvigorated his supporters and even drew praise from his former critics. The assassination attempt added a new dimension to Trump’s public persona. He was no longer just another political figure—he had become a symbol of survival, resilience, and perseverance.
Trump himself reflected on the close proximity of the shot during an interview. “130 yards is like sinking a one-foot putt,” he said, referring to the sniper’s distance. “It’s considered really close,” he continued, emphasizing just how close he came to death. The fact that he was able to survive such a close-range attack only added to the narrative of his political comeback, making him a more formidable figure in the eyes of both supporters and detractors.
The Impact on His 2024 Campaign
In the wake of the shooting, Trump’s campaign took on a new tone. The narrative was no longer solely about policy or rhetoric—it was about survival. His strength in the face of adversity became a major talking point. His supporters rallied behind him, viewing him as a figure who had not only withstood a deadly attack but had emerged even stronger for it. The symbolism of his survival resonated deeply with his base, who saw it as evidence of his resilience and determination.
Additionally, Trump’s recovery process and his response to the assassination attempt marked a turning point in the 2024 election race. His campaign, which had initially been struggling to gain momentum, saw a surge in support as people rallied around his story of survival. The moment of his near-death experience became a powerful symbol, solidifying his place in the race and giving him a renewed sense of political legitimacy.
Unexpected Support from Former Critics
What was even more surprising, however, was the shift in attitude from some of Trump’s most vocal critics. Figures like Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, had long been antagonistic toward Trump. However, after witnessing his survival of the assassination attempt, both men publicly reassessed their views of the former president.
Bezos, in particular, was quoted as saying that Trump’s instincts showed who he was as a person. “Bezos said Trump’s instincts showed who he was, and he wanted them to have a friendship,” the book reveals. For many observers, this marked a dramatic shift in the political landscape. Some of Trump’s fiercest critics were now reaching out, acknowledging his strength and resilience.
Zuckerberg, too, was impressed by Trump’s ability to recover from such a traumatic event. Describing the moment when Trump pumped his fist in the air after the shooting, Zuckerberg remarked that it was “one of the most badass things” he’d ever seen. This unexpected support from two of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures illustrated just how transformative the assassination attempt had been for Trump’s public image.
Donald Trump Gets Bad News About His Tariff Plan From Americans in New Poll
President-Elect Donald Trump is seen on December 7 in Paris. A majority of Americans are bracing themselves for Trump\’s proposed tariffs, accord…Read More | Oleg Nikishin/Getty ImagesWhat\’s New
A majority of Americans are bracing themselves for President-elect Donald Trump\’s proposed tariffs, according to a poll that was published on Monday.
In a WalletHub Fed Rate survey of 200 Americans this month, 74 percent of Americans said Trump\’s possible tariffs would likely lead to more inflation down the line as it remains above the Federal Reserve\’s 2 percent target.
Newsweek has reached out to Trump\’s transition team via email for comment on Monday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Trump centered his presidential campaign on his strong economic policies, often calling into question the Joe Biden\’s administration\’s impact on the U.S. economy and high inflation.
However, Trump\’s policies, especially his plans to implement tariffs on different countries, like China, Canada and Mexico, could cause prices to rise across a variety of sectors.
Trump said he would impose tough new tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless both countries do more to tackle the flow of undocumented migrants and drugs over their borders with the United States.
The president-elect also campaigned on a promise to introduce heavy tariffs against China until it cracks down on the production of materials used to make fentanyl as well as a possible universal tariff on all imports to the U.S.
President-Elect Donald Trump reacts during his meeting with Prince William, Prince of Wales at the Embassy of the United Kingdom’s Residence on D…Read More | Oleg Nikishin/Getty ImagesWhat To Know
Already, Americans say they are feeling the pain from inflation on their wallet, with nearly nine in 10 saying inflation is still an issue, according to the WalletHub\’s report. Meanwhile, more than 3 in 4 people currently think inflation is a bigger issue than the job market.
Trump focused on tariffs during his campaign as a way to protect American jobs and punish countries like China, which often produce goods with cheap labor and bad working conditions.
The president-elect\’s tariff plans generally concern a 60 percent extra cost on Chinese goods and up to 20 percent on imports from other countries.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicted that the tariffs could cost the U.S. between $46 billion and $78 billion per year in lost purchasing power. An estimate from the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) predicted that middle-income families could face annual losses of at least $2,500.
What People Are Saying
Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek: “This is basic economics. When companies face higher prices for imports, they pass those costs onto consumers in the form of increased prices, which contributes to inflation on goods.”
Thompson said the high number of Americans who think Trump\’s policies could actually lead to worse inflation and economic realities is not surprising even amid Trump\’s strong Republican voting base.
“It is not surprising when tribalism takes hold, emotions often override logic, particularly when it comes to economics. Many people voted for change—what felt good—without fully considering how that change would play out in reality,” he said.
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “The primary fear—and rightfully so—is any tariff added to particular countries and industries would result in those costs being passed on to the consumer.”
He added: “So far, Trump has simply warned of tariffs being imposed on countries that didn\’t make adjustments based on his demands, but if they\’re enacted, it certainly could impact the wallets of millions of Americans. I think the hope right now is cooler heads will prevail, and the proposed tariffs will remain just that, a proposal.”
Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of michaelryanmoney.com, previously told Newsweek: “These tariffs would certainly mean higher prices for us American consumers. Retailers/importers will pass these increased costs onto shoppers, driving up the price of everyday items like toasters and washing machines.”
What Happens Next
During his first presidency, Trump enacted tariffs on solar panels and washing machines in 2018, at a range of 30 to 50 percent. He also added a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum for many countries. It affected imports from China, Europe, Canada and Mexico.
While Trump has continued to be vocal in his plans to enforce the new tariffs once he returns to office in January, not all analysts expect the tariffs would get approved that easily.
“Approval will depend on whether a bipartisan consensus can be reached in the House of Representatives,” Thompson told Newsweek. “During his administration, many of Trump\’s campaign promises were blocked, even when his party controlled both chambers of Congress. Whether this plan succeeds will depend on the political climate and the priorities of Congress.”
