Second Assassination Attempt On Donald Trump

The recent second assassination attempt on Donald Trump has brought significant media attention and public scrutiny. The incident unfolded at Trump International Golf Club and has raised many questions about security, gun control, and political rhetoric. Our goal here isn’t to give you our perspective, but to share as much of what actually happened as possible, as well as to showcase what all sides of the media are saying about it. We will be examining the details from both left-leaning and right-leaning sources before drawing a conclusion on the broader implications and underlying issues.

Recap of Left/Progressive Position on The Assassination Attempt

Left-leaning sources have focused heavily on the broader implications of America’s gun culture and its intersection with political violence. MSNBC critiques the nation’s lax gun laws, suggesting that such incidents are symptomatic of a deeper issue with the prevalence of firearms. Frank Figliuzzi, in his MSNBC piece, argues that while the Secret Service performed its duty, the real problem lies with inadequate gun control and the need for stronger regulation. The New York Times also delves into Ryan Wesley Routh’s background, noting his attempts to recruit veterans for foreign conflicts, which underscores his political motivations and the dangerous intersections of extremist ideologies and access to firearms. ABC News highlights Routh’s social media presence, revealing his controversial views and connections to various causes, including Ukraine, which may have influenced his actions.

Recap of Right/Conservative Position on The Assassination Attempt

On the conservative side, Fox News shared a piece from NBC’s Lester Holt connecting the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump to the broader political climate and rhetoric surrounding him. This report links the incident to intense political discourse, particularly the inflammatory rhetoric from Trump’s campaign and other political figures. Fox also notes Routh’s unusual behavior in court, which may reflect underlying psychological issues rather than a purely political motive. In contrast, The Telegraph emphasizes Routh’s criminal history and the effectiveness of Trump’s security, questioning why such a well-known felon could remain undetected for so long at a high-profile event. Both Fox and The Telegraph highlight the failure of security measures and the need for accountability, with Trump blaming political figures for inciting violence.

More Nuanced Perspectives on The Assassination Attempt

The New York Post’s coverage of the bodycam footage provides a detailed view of Routh’s arrest and behavior, suggesting a mix of psychological instability and criminal intent. Meanwhile, CNBC focuses on the federal charges against Routh, including possession of firearms by a prohibited person and with an obliterated serial number, underscoring the legal aspects of the case. These perspectives emphasize the complexity of the situation, blending legal, psychological, and security concerns.

Evidence-Based Analysis

The evidence from various sources presents a multifaceted view of the incident. Routh’s extensive criminal history and prior firearm-related offenses are well-documented, showing a pattern of behavior that could predict such an assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The detailed accounts of his arrest and the response of the Secret Service are sufficient to argue that the Secret Service ran a well-coordinated operation. On the other hand, Routh’s mere presence suggests another shortcoming of the Secret Service detail meant to protect former President Trump. The broader issue of gun control, as highlighted by MSNBC, may be supported by data on firearm-related violence and legislative shortcomings but to this author reads as a red herring more than honest journalism. Conversely, Fox News and The Telegraph raise valid concerns about security effectiveness and the impact of political rhetoric, adding layers to the analysis of the incident’s causes.

What Seems True At This Time

Based on the analysis, it appears that while Routh’s motivations are complex and multifaceted, the primary issues at play are a combination of security lapses and the influence of dangerous political rhetoric. Routh’s background and behavior suggest that he was influenced by a mix of personal grievances and extremist views, reflecting broader societal issues. Moving forward, a balanced approach that addresses both legal and security concerns, along with a critical examination of political discourse, will be crucial in preventing similar incidents.

Encouraging further discussion and action on these issues could contribute to more effective solutions and prevent future violence.

TLDR: Who’s Saying What?

Criminal History and Charges
- CNN: Focuses on Ryan Wesley Routh’s extensive criminal history in North Carolina, detailing his serious and minor charges, including felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and other offenses like carrying a concealed weapon and ID card fraud.
- ABC News: Highlights Routh’s criminal background and social media presence, emphasizing his previous firearm-related offenses and ongoing investigations.
- CNBC: Discusses Routh’s federal gun charges and the potential penalties he faces, including the specifics of his charges related to firearm possession.
Incident Details and Arrest
- NBC: Provides footage of Routh’s arrest, showcasing the body camera video and the role of a witness in his capture.
- USA Today: Details the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club, including the actions of Secret Service agents and the subsequent arrest of Routh.
- The Washington Post: Focuses on the incident itself, with specifics on how the Secret Service responded and Routh’s actions.
- New York Post: Covers the release of bodycam footage from Routh’s arrest, highlighting his behavior and the items found with him.
- The Telegraph: Examines the duration of Routh’s presence at the golf course and questions the effectiveness of Trump’s security, along with his arrest and firearm-related charges.
Broader Implications and Reactions
- MSNBC: Critiques America’s gun culture and suggests that the focus should shift to gun control rather than just enhancing security measures.
- Fox (NBC): Connects the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump to intense political rhetoric, particularly from Trump’s campaign, and ties it to broader community threats.
- Fox: Notes Routh’s unusual behavior during his court appearance and the context of his charges.
Routh’s Background and Motivation
- The New York Times: Revisits Routh’s past attempts to recruit Afghan veterans and his activities related to Ukraine, suggesting his disillusionment and connections to foreign conflicts.
- ABC News: Mentions Routh’s social media activity, revealing his interest in Ukraine and various controversial topics, which might be related to his motives.

Overviews of Main Points Across News Outlets

Criminal History and Charges: CNN, ABC News, and CNBC primarily focus on Routh’s extensive criminal background and the legal implications of the charges against him.
Incident Details and Arrest: NBC, USA Today, The Washington Post, New York Post, and The Telegraph provide detailed accounts of the incident, including the response of law enforcement and the circumstances of Routh’s arrest.
Broader Implications and Reactions: MSNBC and Fox explore the broader context of the incident, including criticisms of gun culture and connections to political rhetoric.
Routh’s Background and Motivation: The New York Times and ABC News delve into Routh’s past activities and potential motivations for the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Final Thoughts

This is the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life in as many months. To this writer, it feels as though there is notable truth to the main talking point from Right Wing outlets on this point: The political rhetoric in this nation has become so toxic, it is not only threatening the fabric of our democracy, but has boiled over to the point where it is literally putting lives in danger.

Now, here is where I differ from the mainstream Right Wing talking point: I do not believe this is a fault of just the left. The reason that we cover both sides here is that we earnestly believe both sides of the political aisle are the problem.

It seems clear to us here at The Daily Pulse that if Americans do not learn to have civil discourse, and to disagree with each other in a healthy, productive manner… well, the political unrest of the last decade seems to threaten the longevity of our nation at large. We’ve been seeing the writing on the wall for long enough. Things are either going to get worse, until there is a full-scale destruction of this country, or else we are going to have to learn to be better.

This is a call to every politician, as well as every citizen of the United States. It needs to come from the ‘top’ and the ‘bottom.’ From our political leaders, our news outlets, and every single American. We need to focus on understanding each other’s points of view, and actually hashing out these issues. Otherwise, we stand to lose the greatest nation in the history of mankind. And make no mistake, the blame will be on each and every one of us.