“If the election were held tomorrow, he would be elected,” says a political scientist.

According to Nicole Bacharan, the images of Donald Trump being shot allow her to highlight “his composure, his physical courage”. The former president “comes out of it stronger”.

“If the election were held tomorrow, Donald Trump would be elected”says political scientist and historian Nicole Bacharan, Sunday, July 14 on franceinfo. On Saturday evening, the former President of the United States and Republican candidate was giving a speech at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when he was injured in the right ear by a gunshot. The suspect had time to fire several shots before being shot dead by the American Secret Service, which provides security for the President and former Presidents of the United States.

According to Nicole Bacharan, the Republican candidate “comes out of this tragedy absolutely stronger”The images, which have been seen around the world, have allowed him to highlight “His composure, his punch, his physical courage, he is truly a media beast, a stage beast,” notes the historian and political scientist. “That makes him an icon.”she continues, “Donald Trump positions himself as the savior of America. (…) It’s one of those unforgettable American images when this country goes through dramas.”

A symbol that contrasts with the current image of Joe Biden, the current President of the United States, who has appeared tired in recent months, and whose candidacy for four more years in the White House is being questioned within his own camp.

Donald Trump assured on Sunday that “Only God has avoided the unthinkable” allowing him to escape this assassination attempt with only a slight injury. “It’s quite traditional in the United States.”notes Nicole Bacharan, “But in Donald Trump’s camp, many see him as a kind of messiah. He’s more than a guru, he’s a messenger from God. And particularly because of his positions on abortion and the fact that he, by appointing judges, removed the protection of the federal right to abortion. So he’s become a hero and that confirms in his camp a status of messiah.”

This dramatic event also allows Donald Trump to reinvigorate his electoral campaign, in an election which for the moment has not “did not arouse any enthusiasm”according to Nicole Bacharan. The latter, who was still recently in the United States, noted above all that “gloom and weariness” among Americans. They must decide between two aging candidates who have monopolized politics for years.

“We can’t turn the page. How come there aren’t younger people in this political class who are more like today’s America?” But the attempted assassination of Donald Trump may “galvanize the undecided and the abstainers.” However, the political scientist and historian wants to be cautious, “A lot can still happen between now and November.”