In my colleague Nick Arama’s terrific piece, What Is the Measure of a Man? she wrote:
How do you take the measure of a man?
There was a lot of bravery shown in those moments. The Secret Service agents who ran to cover Trump (as opposed to the people who failed to secure the roof), even the photographers rushing to Trump’s side to do their job to let us know what was going on, at great risk to themselves, the people who went to the aid of the injured in the midst of the chaos.
But let’s talk about the quickness of former President Donald Trump under fire. First, dropping to the ground to protect himself. Then when the Secret Service came in to cover him, he immediately realized people would be very worried and upset about him, so he got up, pushed the Secret Service a little to the side enough to let the people see him, and raised his fist in defiance to let everyone know he was okay, even with blood dripping from his ear and face, despite the danger. When he did that a roar went up from the crowd, they were so relieved he was okay. But what bravery and presence of mind that took.
Bravery and Presence of Mind. Can we say that of anyone in our current presidential administration? Can we say that, in general, of anyone who calls themselves a leader?
If this assassination attempt did nothing else—and there’s much that still needs to be unpacked—it defined Donald Trump as a true leader. Not just any leader, but the leader we need right now. Let’s address presence of mind, a matter which, in the case of President Joe Biden, is sorely in question. Despite having been shot and bleeding, Trump had the presence of mind to quickly assess that if he allowed the Secret Service to rush him away without some acknowledgment on the state of his person, the rally crowd would not only have been confused, but more frightened and discombobulated than they already were. So he stood up, raised his fist, and shouted, “Fight.” That singular act is all the huge crowd needed to not only be calmed, but to dispel their own fear.
That’s leadership:
I keep thinking about the chaos that would have ensued in the aftermath of the shooting if Trump hadn’t signaled he was okay—while America waited to find out. That instinct to assure the public he was fine, like it or not, is leadership.
— Bridget Phetasy (@BridgetPhetasy) July 14, 2024
Leaders also effectively communicate. It took Biden almost two hours after the assassination attempt to address the nation. As soon as Trump was able, he communicated on his Truth Social social media platform to once again calm the American people. Offering reassurance over fear, and offering thanks to law enforcement and first responders, as well as condolences to the victims and their families.
I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my 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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Once again, Trump presented clarity over confusion. Then just a few hours after Biden finally gave an anemic response to the assassination attempt, Trump took to social media to call for unity, encouraged us to tap into the better angels of our nature, and not allow evil to win.
Dare I say it? That’s Reaganesque:
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.
Another hallmark of a real leader is who rallies around you when the biological waste matter hits the circular wind conductor. I have to say that I was quite surprised at the coalescing of Republican officials and prominent people on the right behind former President Trump, condemning the violent act, but also pointing out what led to this: the multitude of elected Democrats and leftists who encouraged and stoked audiences with violent rhetoric, and called Trump a dictator who will destroy democracy. Even the feckless Sen. Mitt Romney managed to restrict himself with well wishes for Trump and condemnation of the evil act, without playing the both sides and “Republicans should be better,” game. Many local Republican committees have done news conferences expressing their support and their commitment to backing Trump as their nominee and to see him elected in November.
With the Republican National Convention starting Monday, there was some question about whether Trump would be in full attendance throughout the week. In another leadership stroke, Trump posted on Sunday that he was leaving for Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a “shooter,” or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else. Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled, at 3:30 P.M. TODAY. Thank you! DJT
Trump has exhibited resilience and toughness in the face of the lawfare waged against him, but his surviving this assassination attempt was a defining moment, and I believe he has met it. Compared to the past four years of Joe Biden’s cognitive issues, confusion, gaslighting, and adversarial attacks on American citizens and institutions, it could not be more clear who is fit to lead, and he is not the one. Economist and author Carol Roth expressed her insights in the wake of Saturday’s events in an X post:
Yesterday is still hard to process
-The miracle of the bullet only grazing Trump’s ear
-The composure and leadership he showed in that moment, standing to say “Fight” with a fist pump
-The composure of the crowd– no stampede, but chants of USASo much horror + so much strength
— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) July 14, 2024
Roth echoes much of my feelings this Sunday. My head is still swirling and trying to organize all the information, and I am building a career on processing facts quickly and communicating them. But what comes out of that maelstrom is the conviction that this nation needs a strong leader with tested mettle in the White House. On Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania, Trump’s mettle was tested under the fire of a bullet, and to the amazement of many, he emerged as the leader for our time.
