The Hip Hop community is reacting to the attempted assassination of TV Show host and United States Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Trump survived a sniper’s rifle in an assassination attempt live on TV on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
The former president was speaking at a rally in Bulter, Pennsylvania when loud noises, resembling gunshots, were heard in the distance. Trump, the leading Republican candidate with the slogan “Make America Great Again,” was seen holding his right ear as Secret Service agents shouted “Get on the ground!” and rushed to cover him.
Shortly after, the 45th President of the United States emerged with a defiant right fist in the air, blood visible on his face, as he chanted, “Fight, fight.
Vince Staples, Freddie Gibbs, 50 Cent, Meek Mill, Sleepy Hallow, and many more rappers have addressed the Trump shooting with their online fans. Many reacted wildly online, whether with funny memes or sobering statements, including the hip-hop community. Rappers took to social media to comment on the Trump shooting, with reactions as varied as the level of support the rap world has voiced for the convicted politician. Some issued comical takes, while others expressed their disturbance over the incident, which left at least one other person dead, in addition to the suspected shooter, and two more injured.
Some MCs, like Lil Pump and Sleepy Hallow, who have recently shown support for Trump, wished the former president well. Others have yet to post publicly, but likely have thoughts on the matter, as it was another “shot heard around the world” moment. Either way, there is relief that the New York business tycoon survived the attempt. It was a close and terrifying situation.
Of course, not every reaction was sympathetic. Figures like Kid Cudi, who don’t support Trump, still expressed best wishes for his well-being. It’s important to recognize that although this attempt might’ve been driven by extremism, future attempts won’t be prevented by such actions. President Joe Biden and many others condemned the violence and wished Trump well, despite their disagreements with him.
This incident will likely spur further MAGA fervor and chaotic discourse between supporters and detractors. Trump survived, and we’ll see how this impacts the election and its discourse. This may become a contentious debate or a point of unity, but we can expect plenty of bars about the subject in the near future.
Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the “former President is safe,” Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. “An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
Following the incident, X owner Elon Musk tweeted, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
Trump’s possible running mate and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, posted on social media, “Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today.”
In 2018 there were several bombs sent to prominent Democrats and ricin-laced letters to President Trump.
A person identified as the ‘shooter’ was seen being carried away by police at the venue and more than one person was confirmed dead as a result of the incident.
ABC confirmed that the Secret Service neutralized the shooter and there is reported audio saying “shooter’s down” before Secret Service moved Trump off stage.
A MAGA supporting doctor said he helped someone who was shot after getting jammed between a bench.
Chad Pergram, Senior Congressional Correspondent for Fox News tweeted that, “From Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) who was in the front row at the rally near Trump with Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Pennsylvania GOP Senate Candidate Dave McCormick at the rally. Meuser says he heard 8-10 shots. Says it appears mulitple people in the crowd may have been hit and were down. Says that it sounded like a .22 or a small caliber weapon.”
Throughout U.S. history, there have been numerous assassination attempts on presidents. The first attempt was on Andrew Jackson in 1835. Four presidents have been successfully assassinated: Lincoln in 1865, Garfield in 1881, McKinley in 1901, and Kennedy in 1963. Notable close calls include Roosevelt in 1912, Reagan in 1981, and Roosevelt again in 1933. Unique attempts include two female assailants targeting Ford in 1975 and a grenade thrown at George W. Bush in 2005.
