In the wake of a dismal debate performance by former President Donald Trump and a series of setbacks for his campaign, including an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris by Taylor Swift and a flurry of Republican support for Harris, speculation has erupted over a second apparent “assassination attempt” on Trump. The timing of this incident, as Trump’s poll numbers were plummeting and his campaign faced mounting criticism, has led some to question whether the campaign might be involved in orchestrating these dramatic events to improve Trump’s standing in the polls.
Trump’s woes began on September 10, when his debate performance against Harris resulted in a significant drop in his poll numbers. The situation worsened as Trump attempted to regain his footing by doubling down on inflammatory and false claims about Haitian immigrants eating neighborhood pets in Springfield, Ohio. Frustration boiled over with Trump attacking Taylor Swift on social media, writing “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,” further alienating potential supporters.
On Sunday, the internet was abuzz with coverage of Trump’s ongoing meltdown, his debunked lies, and his vice presidential running mate JD Vance embarrassing himself on national TV by admitting that the story about Haitians eating pets was fabricated to draw attention to immigration issues.
The negative news cycle for Trump was overwhelming, but the conversation took a dramatic turn with the emergence of a second alleged “assassination attempt” on the former president. This new development quickly overshadowed the mounting issues facing Trump’s campaign, diverting media attention away from his recent controversies.
Authorities reported that a suspect had allegedly pointed a AK-47 rifle at Trump while he was playing golf at his International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida. The Secret Service responded by opening fire at the suspect, who had not discharged his weapon. The suspect fled, leaving behind his rifle, a GoPro camera, and a backpack. He was later apprehended on I-95.
The incident has sparked widespread speculation and debate. Some social media users are raising questions about the timing and authenticity of the incident, with theories suggesting it might be a stunt to garner sympathy and boost Trump’s poll numbers amid his campaign’s struggles. While such theories lack concrete evidence, they have generated significant discussion.
One user on X queried, “Is the Trump campaign really setting up ‘assassination attempts’ to improve his polling?”
Another skeptical voice argued, “So, Secret Service opened fire on someone carrying a firearm in an open-carry state near Trump’s golf course, and that now qualifies as an ‘assassination attempt’? Sorry, not buying it.”
Critics pointed out the legal context: “Florida is an open-carry state. I need proof that the person was even doing something illegal.”
trump supporters, however, defended the seriousness of the incident: “So, hiding in a bush with a rifle and pointing down a golf course is 2A rights in your mind?”
“He was in the bushes setting up to take a shot at Trump. What else do you think he was doing there?” another supporter insisted.
As local and federal authorities continue their investigation into the suspect’s motives, the incident remains a flashpoint for controversy and conspiracy theories, reflecting the intense and polarized nature of current political discourse.
See more reactions to the incident below:
Way more fucked up than that…
'Secret Service detail open fired on the suspect'
A 'detail' is more than one agent.
AND THEY MISSED. THEY ALL MISSED.
The guy got in his car and drove away.
You know the line in the movie… 'the call is coming from inside the house'?
— Joel Keith (@MayNotBeJoking) September 16, 2024
Well, the fund raising email seemed to come out awfully fast.
— Johnny King (@J27King) September 16, 2024
It's a bit coincidental that Trump posts "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT" and Vance admits to creating a story of Haitian immigrants eating pets on the same day there is a "shooting in the vicinity" of one of Trump's Golf courses. 🤔
— 𝕏 Derrick 𝕏♎ 🟧 🟦#BLM 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🏳️🌈 (@Spawn_03) September 15, 2024
Here's another coincidence. Alex Jones and another Podcaster where saying several months ago trump needs an assassination attack. Bragging how it would unite all MAGAts and GQPs. Then there's the 1st Shooter who is the perfect patsy.
— Will J (@KnightsofBlue) September 16, 2024
The email sent out immediately following the shooting story this afternoon.
This tells me all I needed to know about the validity of the story. pic.twitter.com/4sEGnqDRMZ— GingerSpice❄️💙 (@thedesertginger) September 15, 2024
So, basically Trump is going to fake an assassination attempt every time his campaign goes off the rails. November 5th can’t come soon enough.
— Sarah Ironside 💙 (@SarahIronside6) September 15, 2024
Would it surprise anyone?
— Just Elizabeth Again (@SylnaZhinka) September 15, 2024
Eleven days ago children and adults were actually shot in a school in Georgia.
— TheRealThelmaJohnson (@TheRealThelmaJ1) September 16, 2024
He said it best @claytoonz pic.twitter.com/1upRirHFhc
— Diane P (@dtheavenger) September 16, 2024
An incident happens that doesn’t really look like an assassination attempt given the shooter never fired his weapon, but we are not talking about Haitians and dogs, we are not talking about Kamala Harris‘s flawless campaign, nor are we talking about JV saying he makes up stories.
— Greer McVay (@GreerMcVay) September 15, 2024
I absolutely believe he is! His first attempt was debunked by his ridiculous ear injury! This one was simply to show that, yes in fact the first attempt was real!
— Sandra Tow (@Rekat1) September 15, 2024
Actually SS said they spotted the shooter two golf holes in front of Trump with AK. This is like fifth version
— Desi (@Desi1950) September 15, 2024
Others were quick to push back on the suggestion, arguing that the man pointed his rifle at Trump.
He was in the bushes setting up to take a shot at Trump wtf are you even talking about? What else do you think he was doing there?
— Austin (@adbodine) September 16, 2024
Open carrying and brandishing a firearm are two different things dip shit.
— ConD (@ConD88) September 16, 2024
So, hiding in a bush with a rifle and pointing down a golf course is 2A rights in your mind?
— Free Speech (@Fr3domSp33ch) September 16, 2024
Maybe we'd stop accusing Trump of staging assassination attempts if he'd stop fundraising off them 5 minutes later.
— Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) September 16, 2024
