Assassination Attempt

Plus, a backyard tavern.

July 15, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Monday! Plus: Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: Clyburn sticks with Biden after press conference: 'I'm all in.' (Politico)

  • World: Biden indicates Israel can pursue Hamas leadership after war, which ‘should end now’ (Times of Israel)

  • Business: USPS raises postage stamp prices (Axios)

  • Technology: AT&T says hackers stole records of nearly all cellular customers' calls and texts (NBC News)

  • Sports: Serena Williams hosts an ESPY Awards show celebrating landmark year for women's sports (NBC News)

And of course, some good news: A Dad Attracts Diners from Across the Globe After Building $22k Greek Taverna–in His Backyard.

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Right: Donald Trump on Cruise Control Before Convention, Marc Caputo, The Bulwark

Left: The Destructive Power of a Stubborn Old Narcissist, Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic

TRUMP

Assassination Attempt

Today’s Top Story in One Sentence: On Saturday, Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet on his ear while onstage at a rally in Pennsylvania, and he was reportedly released from the hospital Saturday night

Reporting from the Right: An assassinationz attempt on Trump at Pennsylvania rally leaves 2 hurt, 2 dead, including shooter (FOX News)

Reporting from the Left: Trump injured but ‘fine’ after attempted assassination at rally, shooter and one attendee are dead (AP)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

The Fallout

The Top Argument From The Right: The Political Fallout from the Trump Assassination Attempt Philip Klein, National Review: “It’s awful to think about politics in the face of a tragic shooting that resulted in one death, multiple injuries, and the near-assassination of a former president and soon-to-be Republican nominee, Donald Trump. With that said, the attempted assassination of a major political figure is inherently a political act — whatever motivated the shooter — so it seems remiss to not discuss how it could affect the election. … One of the biggest open questions is how the Trump news affects efforts to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee. I can imagine the conversation moving in both directions. The instantly iconic image of a bloodied Trump raising his fist with the American flag in the background projects strength in a way that reinforces the contrast with the increasingly frail-looking Biden — and could add even more urgency to the search for a replacement. But perhaps in the wake of the first assassination attempt of a president or presidential candidate in decades, the “Dump Biden” Democrats may have lost their appetite for introducing more chaos to this presidential election. At the very minimum, it should freeze the effort to oust Biden for a few days — and the more time that passes, the harder it is to replace him.”

Honorable Mention #1: Who’s the real threat to democracy? Roger Kimball, The Spectator

Honorable Mention #2: The Shooting of Donald Trump The Editorial Board, The Wall Street Journal

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Grim Road Ahead

The Top Argument From The Left: America is not ready for what comes next Zach Beauchamp, Vox: “Someone just attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. We don’t know who, and we don’t know why, but we know they came terribly close to succeeding. We should all be terrified about what comes next. American politics has recently become trapped in a state of simultaneous stability and instability. It is stable in the sense that there are clearly defined and seemingly unshakeable partisan divisions. It is unstable in the sense that those divisions have grown so deep and so bitter that they threaten the basic faith in political coexistence that any democracy needs to survive. … it’s not like either party’s leadership is especially trustworthy at this particular moment. President Biden has clearly declined with age and is fighting to maintain his role as nominee. Trump is a victim now, but he’s still the same man he was before it happened. Biden is a steady leader but in a poor position to handle a crisis; Trump is a demagogue who is more likely to raise tensions rather than lower them. The United States is an extraordinary country: the wealthiest and most powerful ever to exist in human history. But it is riven by what might be its greatest internal divisions since the Civil War. The gravity of that particular comparison should underscore both the dangers here and the uncertainty. A gunman’s bullet has just sent the country hurtling into an abyss. The only question now is how far we fall.

Honorable Mention #1: America Stares Into the Abyss After Trump Assassination Bid Jon Mulholland, The Daily Beast

FLAG THIS

History and Now

Before the events on Saturday, the last time an American president faced an assassination was on March 30, 1981, when President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. after a speaking engagement, just two months into his presidency. Reagan was seriously injured but survived after undergoing emergency surgery (USA Today).

A YouGov poll conducted after the attack found that 67% of Americans believe political violence is more likely. The survey included 4,339 respondents, with only 8% thinking such attacks are less likely, 10% expecting no change, and 14% unsure. Both Republicans (70%) and Democrats (69%) largely agree that more political violence is expected following the incident (New York Post).

WATERCOOLER

Crisis of Confidence, Reapply, Earwax Dating

On This Day in 1979, President Jimmy Carter addressed the nation via live television to discuss the nation’s energy crisis and accompanying recession.

Today I learned Scientists can figure out how old whales are by looking at their earwax.

POWERED BY HEAR.COM

Discover unparalleled speech clarity with this advanced, state-of-the-art hearing aid.

With crystal-clear sound delivered to your ears and a sleek, discreet design powered by German technology, you can now enjoy clear speech with minimum background distractions, even in the noisiest environments.

Take comfort in our commitment to your hearing and try our 45-day no-risk trial today. Start your no-risk trial today

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