Live updates: Trump assassination attempt news and analysis

KUOW and NPR coverage in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

UW researchers find online rumors, but no major disinformation campaigns, after Trump assassination attempt

University of Washington researchers say rumors and misinformation on social media following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump came from the left, right and center.

“We have to be savvier about how we approach those spaces as consumers and participants, because it's not just this natural sense-making process that's happening. It's also been being manipulated and shaped by attention dynamics in ways that lead to it being very poor-quality information, especially in the early moments after a crisis event," said Kate Starbird who heads the Center for an Informed Public.

Starbird said researchers identified no major disinformation campaign by outside actors. Instead, it's rumors that circulated spontaneously by people trying to get attention for themselves or their causes.

Researchers said rumors focused on elements like the shooter’s identity, Secret Service preparedness, and whether the attack was staged.

The UW center is conducting rapid research on election-year rumors after disinformation efforts — domestic and from overseas, including Russia — roiled presidential elections in 2020 and 2016.

Read more here about misinformation that spread shortly after the assassination attempt.

— Ann Dornfeld, KUOW

Monday, July 15, 2024

Cantwell, Wyden of Oregon denounce political violence during energy summit

At an energy summit on Seattle’s waterfront on Monday, Democratic U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell from Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon condemned political violence following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump over the weekend.

The two also voiced their concerns over Trump's pick for vice president, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance from Ohio.

— Casey Martin

Bob Ferguson pauses talking about Trump on the campaign trail

While talking with KUOW, Washington state Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson said that his thoughts are with former President Trump and his family after the assassination attempt. He said that he will hold off on talking about Trump while on the campaign trail for a while.

"I do frequently talk about Dave Reichert’s support for Donald Trump, and Donald Trump’s policies, and that sort of thing … but you know, I told my audience yesterday, I spoke about what happened to former president Trump, my views on that, and that I would not be speaking about Donald Trump in my remarks to them."

"Obviously, as Americans we need to avoid this escalating," he added. "Like what we saw in, say, 1968 where you had MLK Jr. and Bobby Kennedy assassinated within a very short period of time."

"Assassinations and attempted assassinations have long been a part of American political life, which is deeply problematic and deeply concerning so I think where it goes back to, is all leaders, all Americans, need to express their condemnation of what happened."

— Jeanie Lindsay (Northwest News Network), KUOW staff

Mónica Guzmán: "You can feel that everything is shook"

There have been many reactions following the assassination attempt of former President Trump. While some have denounced political violence, others have leaned into conspiracy theories and pointing a political finger of blame.

As Mónica Guzmán, senior fellow at Braver Angels (a nonpartisan organization dedicated to political depolarization), told KUOW's Soundside, political differences are part of how our democracy works. But how we handle those differences, how we react, is what impacts our daily lives.

"Heat in a conversation, a disagreement across differences, politically, heat is good," Guzmán said. "The question is whether you are cooking something, or burning something."

Read the full story here .

— KUOW staff

Reichert calls Secret Service protection of Trump into question

Dave Reichert is no stranger to threats of violence — he described many he received as King County sheriff and congressman in an interview with KUOW.

In 2015, a caller who threatened to kill him was charged with harassment . As head of King County's SWAT division, he worked with the U.S. Secret Service on protection for visiting dignitaries.

"I'm sure that the Secret Service has recognized that they absolutely, obviously, left a gap — allowed someone to get into a position to have a clear shot at President Trump," Reichert said. "That should have never happened."

Reichert said he does not have security, and will not be getting any after this shooting.

Both major Democrats in the race condemned political violence in statements. The other major Republican candidate in the race, Semi Bird, blamed so-called elites trying to "maintain power and control of government."

— Scott Greenstone

Washington Sen. Patty Murray condemns "all forms of political violence" and says "We cannot denounce one and disregard another" ”

Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray from Washington state issued a statement following the assassination attempt on former President Trump this weekend. Murray argues that leaders should not only condemn the attack on Trump, but also the "political violence that has been incited or condoned by Trump and his allies."

“Violence begets violence, and leaders from all walks of life should forcefully reject violence in all its forms in the strongest possible terms. Political violence, though, is a direct assault on our democracy—no matter what the political beliefs of the perpetrator might be. As we mourn for the father who was killed and hope for the full recovery of those who were injured, we should all be grateful for the safety of former President Donald Trump—for the sake of his family and loved ones and for the country.

We can only be credible and effective in refuting political violence if we are clear and consistent—which is why in this moment, it is not enough for anyone to condemn the attack on former President Trump if they still refuse to condemn the political violence that has been incited or condoned by Trump and his allies. Donald Trump incited a violent mob that attempted to overturn the results of a free and fair election on January 6th, he openly ridiculed the heinous assault on Paul Pelosi, and he brazenly directed far-right extremists to ‘stand back and standby’—anyone who is turning a blind eye to Trump’s ceaseless rhetoric is doing this country a grave disservice. Just today, the former President called January 6th a hoax—I was there on January 6th, and I could hear the banging on the doors of my office. I will not let the history of that day be rewritten. It was an attack on our very democracy—a violent one.

It is easy to say political violence has no place in America, but if we want that sentiment to hold true, we must condemn all forms of political violence—we cannot denounce one and disregard another. Here’s what I know: if we want to protect our democracy for the future, we can only do it using our voices and our votes—and we have to be clear-eyed and unwavering in calling out leaders who willfully and purposefully incite political violence.”

— KUOW staff

Stranger reporter suspended for tweet about Trump assassination attempt

A reporter from The Stranger, Seattle’s alternative news outlet, was suspended this weekend after posting a tweet on X that read, "Make American aim again," suggesting that the bullet that grazed Trump’s ear missed its mark.

Wrote Rich Smith, The Stranger’s editor: "We suspended Ashley [Nerbovig]. The Stranger stands against political violence. Period."

Nerbovig has since deleted her account on X.

— Scott Greenstone

A range of responses have emerged from Washington state's elected officials, political figures, and influencers.

State GOP Chair Jim Walsh was in Milwaukie for the Republican National Convention when he heard about the shooting. When talking with KUOW, he partially blamed the incident on the media for demonizing Trump, and said that the former president will receive a "hero's welcome" at the convention.

Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird said "elite extremists" are behind the shooting. Aberdeen's mayor, Douglas Orr, publicly speculated that the whole incident was staged. Read the full story here .

State Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane): “Political violence of any kind in our country should be unequivocally condemned and rejected. We must stand united against these heinous acts and the threat they represent to our democracy.”

— Scott Greenstone, KUOW staff

Conspiracy theories surge following the assassination attempt on Trump (NPR)

It took just moments for speculation and conspiracy theories to begin spreading after a gunman tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump on Saturday. While it will take weeks and months for investigators to piece together the full story, the assassination attempt has supercharged conspiracy theories and threats of political violence that have characterized this presidential campaign from the outset. Read more here .

What we know about the alleged Trump shooter (NPR)

The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as the man who allegedly shot at President Donald Trump and killed one person at a Butler, Pa., political rally on Saturday. Investigators believe the suspect's father purchased the gun used at the rally six months ago, according to a person familiar with the investigation who was not allowed to speak publicly. The source also confirmed that at least one possibly workable, explosive device was found in the dead suspect's vehicle. A picture is still emerging about the 20-year-old. Here’s what we know so far .

— NPR

Photos: See how the Trump rally shooting unfolded (NPR)

President Biden gives live address after Trump assassination attempt

President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House on Sunday, July 14, 2024, one day after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The man killed in the assassination attempt on Trump died shielding his family (NPR)

The man killed Saturday during the assassination attempt on former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa., died a hero, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during a press conference Sunday. Corey Comperatore, 50, “dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally,” Shapiro said. Read more here .