Surrounded by Secret Service agents, blood streaming down his face, Donald Trump pumped his fist. The former president had just survived a shot from a would-be assassin, and the image of his characteristically combative reaction instantly became iconic. A raised fist has long been a symbol of resistance to oppression or power and a sign of victory.
A photographer captured the moment, with an American flag hanging in the background, and the image flooded social media.
"He'll never stop fighting to Save America," Donald Trump Jr., posted as a caption on X, formerly known as Twitter, accompanied by the photo. Eric Trump also shared the photo, writing on X that this is "the fighter America needs."
With two presidential candidates over the age of 75, the contest has centered on whether Trump and President Joe Biden are mentally and physically in condition to lead the country. Biden has spent the past weeks trying to recover politically from a disastrous performance in his debate with Trump; members of his own party have called on him to step down. Trump's defiant reaction to the shooting made for a striking contrast to photos of a pale, wavering Biden.
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to begin in two days, and the image of Trump's resilience under fire conveys the perfect message for the campaign: that despite the forces arrayed against him and MAGA world, Trump will stand up and fight.
Philip Anderson, who was arrested for the Capitol riot, called Trump a "legend." Catturd, the online identity of a popular right-wing influencer, called the photo a "rally cry to save our country."
Russel Brand posted a video montage of the shooting and wrote on X that age isn't an issue in the election, it's "stamina."
"Trump showed he had plenty of it," Brand wrote. "Unfazed."
The shooting happened just minutes into Trump's remarks at the Pennsylvania rally and Secret Service quickly jumped into action. Swarming Trump, microphones picked up part of the conversation between agents and the former president. When agents confirmed it was safe to remove Trump from the stage, they said "come on sir, come on." Trump wasn't ready to leave just yet.
"Let me get my shoes. Let me get my shoes," he responded.
He was then quickly escorted to his vehicle and removed from the venue, his fist in the air. The former president's reaction to the shooting elicited huge cheers from the crowd. He looked like the leader they believe he is.
Trump isn't the first president to remain defiant after surviving an assassination attempt. When Theodore Roosevelt was campaigning for the presidency as a third party candidate, he was shot in the chest in 1912. The bullet penetrated his chest muscle, but Roosevelt refused to go to hospital and choose to continue to deliver his 50 page speech.
"Friends, I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible," Roosevelt told the crowd after making sure that his would be assassin was not lynched on the spot. "I don't know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot—but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose."
The Roosevelt assassination attempt took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Donald Trump is due to be nominated next week as the Republican Party's candidate for president.
When former President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest in Washington, D.C., in 1981, he walked from his limousine to the hospital, smiling at onlookers. Inside, as he was being prepared for surgery, he was cheerful and joked to first lady Nancy Reagan, "Honey, I forgot to duck."
Reagan's popularity surged after the assassination attempt to an approval rating of 70 percent.
Polls indicate that the race between Biden and Trump is close and could come down to a handful of votes in key swing states. Any boost that Trump can get to rally his supporters to turn out and vote could further hinder Biden's ability to win re-election.
About two hours after the shooting, Trump posted on Truth Social a thank-you message to Secret Service and law enforcement. He expressed his condolences to the family of the person who was killed and confirmed that he was shot in his right ear.
"I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin," Trump wrote.
"No words. Donald J Trump for President of the United States. This election is now over," Candace Owens posted on X.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, praised Trump's reaction and agreed that the election is over. "They can't beat him now," he added.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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