United States. Shooting in Washington: Donald Trump, survivor of five assassination attempts

Donald Trump, hero invincible or cursed president? Since 2016, the American billionaire has been targeted five times, including twice during election campaigns and two more during his presidency. Unprecedented in the history of the United States. “I respectfully ask you, why do you think this continues to happen to you?” a journalist questioned him on Saturday, during the press conference following the shots fired at the press gala dinner at the Hilton hotel in Washington. The president of the world’s leading power had a ready response: “Those who have the most impact are the ones we target.” And he explained without flinching: “We have changed this country and there are many people who are not happy about that. So I think that’s the answer.”

Like Abraham Lincoln…

Before referencing Abraham Lincoln, considered one of the greatest presidents of the United States (1861-1865). This is not the first time the White House tenant has mentioned his illustrious predecessor, the initiator of the abolition of slavery who was assassinated in Washington. “I have been treated worse than him,” even the Republican candidate dared on July 20, 2024, during his presidential campaign. A week earlier, he had narrowly escaped death at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Face stained with blood but fist raised on the stage just minutes after a bullet pierced his right ear. A turning point in the election race, his miraculous combative posture had energized the MAGA supporters (“Make America Great Again”) and strengthened Trump’s chances against his Democratic rival, the incumbent President Joe Biden, weakened by age and illness.

Saturday night’s attack did not directly target the president and initial information on Sunday even suggested that “the assailant was targeting members of the Trump administration.” Later, the presidency indicated that a “depraved madman was trying to assassinate the president.” The Republican – at rock bottom in the polls – could benefit from this serious event to try to rebuild his political reputation, just a few weeks before the November Midterms – these midterm elections that are typically unfavorable to the incumbent.

“It’s a dangerous life”

Without waiting for the investigation’s conclusions, the White House host quickly reappeared before the press, unshaken as both a man and a father of the nation, and as a war chief. “I lead a fairly normal life, given the fact, you know, that it’s a dangerous life,” he downplayed […] “This will not make me give up on winning the war in Iran.”

Naturally, the media sequence of a standing president – always in his evening wear and mastering the art of television showmanship like no other – also overshadows the glimpses of the aging politician. At 79, the former real estate mogul is regularly caught falling asleep in public. Over half of Americans even believe that his mental faculties have deteriorated, according to a Reuters/Ipsos-BVA poll conducted in early April. And amid controversy over the Israeli-American offensive in the Middle East, the American president quickly received logical and strong support from his European counterparts (such as Emmanuel Macron), temporarily overshadowing disagreements on the international stage.