Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

The incident sparked widespread outrage over media portrayals and political rhetoric, with critics lambasting both the coverage and reactions from various public figures, including commentary from former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki, as the Daily Mail reports.

Trump was delivering a speech when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired several rounds from a nearby rooftop. One bullet grazed Trump's ear, and another killed former fire chief Corey Comperatore and seriously injured two others before Crooks was shot dead by a Secret Service counter-assault agent.

Trump's Family and Supporters React to Media Coverage

Trump's family and supporters were quick to criticize the liberal media for downplaying the assassination attempt. The New York Times, CNN, and NBC faced significant backlash for their coverage of the incident. The Times referred to the gunshots as "loud popping noises" and described Trump as "falling" from the stage. Additionally, the Times ran an opinion piece titled "Donald Trump Is Unfit to Lead" the morning after the shooting.

CNN's Jamie Gangel highlighted Trump's call to "fight" after he was shot, with a headline reading, "Secret Service rushes Trump off stage after he falls at rally." NBC described Trump as "clutching his ear" after the "popping noises" were heard. Critics argued that these descriptions minimized the severity of the assassination attempt.

Details About Assailant

Crooks, the assailant, was revealed to be a registered Republican who had donated $15 to Democrat fundraising arm ActBlue on Biden's Inauguration Day in 2021. This detail added a complex layer to the political discourse surrounding the event, as it contradicted the narrative that only one political side could be inciting violence.

In response to the shooting, the Biden administration rushed the president back to the White House from Delaware. President Biden condemned the shooting on X, calling for unity and denouncing violence.

Jen Psaki's Comments and Backlash

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki faced intense scrutiny for her comments on the incident. Psaki called for a change in the tone and rhetoric used by Republicans, warning that failure to do so could lead to "retaliation."

"One thing for all of us to remember is it may not feel paused tomorrow or Tuesday. And part of that is because the convention is starting and unless the programming changes, the rhetoric and how the programming is set up is not actually calming the tone or restoring civility," Psaki said. She emphasized that continuing with the same programming would escalate tensions rather than promote civility.

Psaki also expressed her fears for journalists and people with public platforms, stating, "For anyone out there who has a platform who thinks the moment right now is to be political and attack the other party -- you are feeding into the danger. You are making it more likely there's retaliation. I'm incredibly scared. I'm scared for journalists. I'm scared for people who have public platforms of all parties."

Public Reaction to Psaki's Statements

Psaki's comments were met with a barrage of criticism on social media. One X user responded, "Jen Psaki said the Repubs have created a 'tone,' but it is Biden & Dems who have called Trump a Nazi, a rapist, a felon, a terrorist. They have called MAGA supporters domestic terrorists & cult members. Biden promised unity but instead incited violence & division. GO TO HELL."

Another user added, "Stop lying and fueling the fire and you wouldn't be scared." Stephen Miller, a former Trump advisor, accused Psaki of minimizing the assassination attempt, stating, "She just all lives mattered an assassination attempt on the Republican nominee."

Calls for Media Responsibility

The incident has sparked a broader debate about media responsibility and political rhetoric. Critics argue that the media's portrayal of the event and the subsequent reactions from public figures like Psaki contribute to a divisive and dangerous political climate.

Jamie Gangel of CNN acknowledged the public's concern, stating, "What we're hearing from people is that's not the message that we want to be sending right now, we want to tamp it down."

Donald Trump Jr. voiced his outrage, saying, "Someone attempted to assassinate my father tonight and this is what CNN is focused on. These people are vile."

Conclusion

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, has ignited a firestorm of controversy over media coverage and political rhetoric. While Trump survived with a minor injury, the incident claimed the life of a former fire chief and injured two others.

The media's handling of the event and the reactions from political figures like Jen Psaki have been heavily criticized, highlighting the deep divisions and tensions in the current political landscape.

As the nation grapples with this incident, calls for a more responsible and civil discourse continue to grow.