Opinion
By Steve Nicklas, 7-15-24
They are historic images, imprinted forever on America’s memory in indelible ink. The Marines at Iwo Jima. The battle of Bunker Hill. Muhammad Ali towering over Sonny Liston.
And now, the iconic image of a bloodied Donald Trump, draped by Secret Service agents, defiantly pumping his fist and mouthing the words “fight, fight.” Overhead, an enormous American flag flew gallantly.
Trump barely dodged an assassination attempt this weekend, by the grace of God. Trump vows to continue to fight, the opposite of flight. A fearless leader like Trump never gives in, or backs down, or surrenders. Trump has recited these inspirational words at hundreds of his popular rallies, which bleed patriotism.
Assassinations, and failed attempts, of U.S. presidents (past and present) are as rare as a buffalo nickel. Permanently mired in questions, suspicions, conjecture. Like the Kennedy assassination. Like Reagan who said he “forgot to duck.” And like Trump being shot during a campaign rally with 25,000 rabid followers in Butler, Pa.
To say Trump dodged a bullet is an understatement. Looking at a chart behind the podium, Trump turned his head and missed the brunt of a bullet from a high-powered rifle. The bullet nipped his ear, leaving minor damage – but an enduring reminder.
Tragically, one Trump supporter died at the rally and two were severely injured. A former fireman, Corey Comperatore, was fatally shot shielding his family members. Multiple shots filled the air, sounding like firecrackers. Trump was whisked frantically from the stage by valiant Secret Service agents after the barrage.
A disturbed 20-year-old Pennsylvania man, Thomas Matthew Crooks, climbed onto the roof of a small building several hundred yards from the stage. The building was not part of the protected area. From there, Crooks opened fire before snipers killed him. Now, there are more lingering questions than Quakers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
How did the shooter know the building was outside the protective perimeter (he lived two hours away)? Why did the Secret Service fail to secure the rooftop of that building, adjacent to the stage? How did the shooter know the building would be accessible in the carnival-like atmosphere? Why did Secret Service agents ignore onlookers’ reported attempts to point out the gunman?
There are endless concerns. Bold Florida congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the U.S. House has scheduled a hearing with the Secret Service director, seeking the truth. The director, Kimberly Cheatle, was reportedly out of town and could not be reached.
However, a spokesman for Cheatle’s department challenged reports that Trump was denied adequate security. Equally concerning, Cheatle has reportedly acted with a political bias in the past and implemented DEI standards in her office.
One devoted Trump supporter is speaking out after living through the chaotic episode. Geno Difabio believes Congress should appoint a July 13 committee to investigate the debacle.
“He’s actually working for the American people,” Difabio said on Fox News. “I don’t care if you’re a Republican, Democrat, independent, black, white, Hispanic or Martian, you have to wake up and realize what they’re doing to this country.
“And there’s one guy that’s going to save it,” a teary Difabio continued, “and they tried to kill him.”
Trump’s popularity has catapulted off the lawfare campaign against him, and he may gain politically from this horrible event. The picture of the bleeding Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents will be immortalized. He is a martyr to millions of loyal disciples. Fighting to reverse the disastrous actions of President Joe Biden, to restore freedoms, law and order, a secure border, our standing overseas.
Matt and Mercedes Schlapp are ardent Trump supporters. The couple puts on the renowned Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) event each year, with Trump often the keynote speaker.
Mercedes Schlapp believes the outlandish end-of-democracy rhetoric about Trump is seeping into our society. Democrats regularly demonize Trump with similar insults, abetted by the mouthpiece mainstream media.
“The goal at the end of the day is to make sure they stop Donald Trump at all costs,” she said on Newsmax, “even if it means taking his life.”
Matt Schlapp had angry words too. “Today’s one of the darkest days in our history, and I want answers,” he said.
Former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi faithfully backs Trump. She would likely earn a position in a new Trump administration. When asked how Trump will respond to the attack, Bondi called him unstoppable.
“He’s going to keep fighting,” Bondi said on Fox News. “That’s what he does. He wants to save our country.”
Bondi shared a startling observation. “The FBI should not lead this investigation,” she said. An impartial joint task force would be more appropriate. “The FBI are the ones that tried to lock him up – they’re still trying to lock him up. They’re the ones that raided Mar-a-Lago. I think they would agree they cannot lead this investigation.”
Trump has been showered with heartfelt sympathy. One noticeable post came from entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has openly warmed to Trump in recent years – like many prominent people have. “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk blasted out on his social media platform X.
Many of Trump’s supporters believe this is divine intervention during these difficult, politically charged times. Fox News commentator Rachel Campos-Duffy sees it that way. “It’s a miracle,” she said about Trump surviving the assassination. “There is a protective shield over him. There’s no question in my mind.”
The national speeches by Biden seem to be insincere political stunts. After all, Biden told a group of donors recently that “it’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.” The Biden campaign has also taken down TV advertisements harshly condemning Trump.
One moderate Gen Z voter blasted the left for the false narrative about Trump. That he is an insurrectionist, a threat to democracy, worse than Hitler.
“You don’t get to call Trump ‘Hitler’ for eight years, and villainize him, and misrepresent who he is and what he wants to do, and expect that there won’t be consequences,” said Kaylee Mcghee White, a fellow at the Steamboat Institute.
White sees this period as a “terrifying moment” in history. And that her generation could be “one of the last to see a stable and prosperous America.”
“This can’t go on,” White said on Fox News. “I do think it has widened the Republican party’s umbrella even more. I think one of the effects is that the social taboo of supporting Trump is going to become non-existent.”
White says she enthusiastically voted for Trump in 2016, and ambivalently did so again in 2020. This time will be different. “I now would crawl over broken glass to vote for the guy,” White said. “And I know there are many other hesitant Trump supporters who feel the same way watching this.
“There needs to be consequences for the people who have helped push us to this breaking point,” White continued. “And you know what – electing Trump sounds like a great place to start.”
Despite the turbulent prelude, the Republican National Convention will proceed as scheduled in Milwaukee this week. The theme of the event is to make America great again, to restore our constitutional values, to right the wrongs of the current administration.
There is an underlying, unspoken premise. To stay alive to be part of it.
Steve Nicklas is the managing partner of Nicklas Wealth Management in Fernandina Beach. He is also an award-winning columnist. His columns appear in weekly newspapers in Northeast Florida and in Southeast Georgia, and on his website at www.SteveNicklasMarketplace.com. He has published a book, “All About Money,” of his favorite columns from the past 20 years. The book is available on Amazon. He has also done financial reports for area radio stations and for National Public Radio in Jacksonville. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 904-753-0236.
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida.
