Following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, photographer Evan Vucci of the Associated Press took a photograph of the aftermath of the incident. The image shows a bloodied Trump pumping his fist in the air, surrounded by the Secret Service, and with an American flag in the backdrop.
The photo was published widely in social media, and also saw subsequent, widespread usage in posts by his most prominent allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, his family members, and members of congress.[1]
Published commentary
Politico said some used the photo as "an opportunity to tout conspiracy theories and stoke political tensions."[2][3]
Benjamin Wallace-Wells of The New Yorker said that "It is already the indelible image of our era of political crisis and conflict." He analyzed that "some of the elements in Vucci's image are familiar from the countless others of Trump" and concluded that "It is an image that captures him as he would like to be seen, so perfectly, in fact, that it may outlast all the rest."[4] Business Insider echoed those sentiments, assessing that it had "become the most iconic image of his reelection among Republicans."[5]
Shawn McCreesh of The New York Times stated that "in the middle of the mayhem, Trump pumped his fist and revealed his instincts". Writing that after being shot, Trump told his Secret Service detail to wait while he pumped his fist in the air. McCreesh stated that it was hard to find "a moment that more fully epitomizes Mr. Trump's visceral connection with his supporters, and his mastery of the modern media age."[6]
References
- ^ Solender, Andrew; Kight, Stef W. (13 July 2024). "GOP lawmakers rally around image of bloodied Trump". Axios. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ Frazier, Kierra; Herszenhorn, Miles J. (July 13, 2024). "Photo of bloodied Trump fist pumping immediately spotlighted by his allies". Politico. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Jonathan (July 14, 2024). "Trump's Raised Fist Will Make History — And Define His Candidacy". Politico. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ Wallace-Wells, Benjamin. "The Attempt on Donald Trump's Life and an Image That Will Last". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "A photo of a bloodied Trump raising his fist after being shot has already become the defining image of his reelection bid". Business Insider. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ McCreesh, Shawn (July 13, 2024). "Amid the Mayhem, Trump Pumped His Fist and Revealed His Instincts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.