Between support and derision, the reactions of Americans on social networks

Former President Donald Trump was targeted by gunfire during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Beyond the political reactions, Americans took to the subject on social media, either to support the Republican candidate or to mock him.

Images of the assassination attempt against Donald Trump went around the world in a matter of minutes, on the night of Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 July. The former American president was shot in the ear during a rally in Pennsylvania, while he is in the middle of campaigning for the presidential election in November.

An act of violence that, unfortunately, is not a first in the United States, where several presidents have already been targeted by assassination attempts. The whole world reacted, from Emmanuel Macron to Joe Biden, including the Kremlin, denouncing this attack, which left two dead, including the alleged shooter.

Increased support for the Republican candidate

This assassination attempt has strengthened Trump’s support for the presidency. On X, many messages evoke Donald Trump’s gesture, at the moment when he is evacuated by security. The Republican candidate raises his fist and chants “Beat you”, in English. A moment “historical, incredible”, according to some Internet users, who admire this reaction.

“Don’t panic, he didn’t crawl on his knees”writes on X this user.

An attitude of “badass”, even, according to this other internet user who claims that “the election is over, he is the next president.”

For some Trump supporters, this event can only work in the candidate’s favor, as the American presidential election is held next November. The Republican will face the current Democratic president Joe Biden, whose state of health is worrying even within his ranks.

“Did he just win the presidential election?” asks this Internet user, with a photo of Donald Trump, his fist raised, much used by his supporters.

Assassination attempt made fun of

However, some Americans preferred humor, using photo and video montages. Starting with Van Gogh’s self-portrait. The painter, known for cutting off his ear in a fit of madness, is replaced by Donald Trump, who was shot in the ear.

Others have preferred to compare the former president to the character Neo, in Matrix, who can stop bullets with his hand. The bullet aimed at Donald Trump pierced the top of his right ear.

Hijackings that even inspired rapper 50 Cent, himself the victim of a shooting in 2000. The American artist published a photo montage of his album cover on his X account Get Rich or Die Tryinreleased in 2005, where 50 Cent’s face is replaced by that of Donald Trump. “Trump gets shot and now I’m trending”the singer says ironically.

Questions about security

An event that also raised questions from some Internet users, particularly about the effectiveness of the security measures put in place during the meeting. Some have their own hypotheses, like this user who wonders how the shooter was able to reach the roof, from which he fired. “I’ve been to several Trump events and it’s impossible to get that close to him”he assures. “It was negligence and incompetence, or it was intentional,” according to the one who presents himself as an MMA fighter.

The FBI, for its part, assured that it would “There will be a long investigation to determine exactly what happened and to understand how the individual was able to gain access to this place.”