Donald Trump speculates he was shot due to opponents’ frequent use of ‘threat to democracy’ rhetoric

WASHINGTON, DC: Former president Donald Trump made a bold statement on Tuesday, July 30, claiming that he was shot because of his political opponents' claims that he was a "threat to democracy".

Trump was the target of an assassination attempt on July 13 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a bullet grazed his right ear. The Secret Service snipers killed the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, after two rallygoers were injured and one died.

Donald Trump claims he was shot because of his opponents' ‘threat to democracy’ rhetoric

Donald Trump said on the 'Sid & Friends in the Morning' radio show, "They say I’m not democratic, I’m not democratic. I’m a threat to democracy. It’s just a sound bite, it means nothing to them to say it. Maybe it’s the reason I was shot. Who knows? Rhetorically, it’s a terrible thing to say about somebody like me, but they say it all the time."

Democrats have often painted Trump as a "threat to democracy" and also suggested he would become a "dictator" if he is reelected for a second term.

In a March 2024 post on X, Vice President Kamala Harris wrote, "Donald Trump is a threat to our democracy and fundamental freedoms. President @JoeBiden and I will restore Roe, protect voting rights, and finally address our gun violence epidemic. The contrast could not be clearer."

Of course, Trump's own rhetoric is responsible for his opponets calling him a "threat to democracy". For instance, during the recent Turning Point Action Believers’ Summit in Florida, Trump informed the crowd that  "in four years, you won't have to vote again."

This statement drew severe criticism and led to many labeling the former president as a "dictator".

Trump had said, "You have to get out and vote. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four years and it will be fixed, and it will be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore. In four years, you won’t have to vote again."

Investigation into Donald Trump assassination attempt

Earlier, FBI Director Christopher Wray had said in a statement regarding Donald Trump's assassination attempt, "There’s some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel that, you know, hit his ear."

However, Republican lawmakers expressed their outrage at the director's comments before a House committee, and Trump also took offense.

Sen Lindsey Graham informed Wray, before the FBI released its statement on Friday, July 26, and asked him to change his testimony because "the attempted assassin’s bullet ripped the upper part" of Trump’s ear and "should not be a point of contention".

The revised FBI statement read, "What struck former President Trump in the ear was a bullet, whether whole or fragmented into smaller pieces, fired from the deceased subject’s rifle."

The FBI, however, is yet to identify the motive which led Crooks to shoot at Trump at the rally.

Internet slams Donald Trump for saying he was shot as his opponents claim he's a 'threat to democracy'

Several social media users slammed Donald Trump for saying he was shot at due to his opponents' claims that he’s a "threat to democracy".

A user wrote on X, "Good luck with that liar. We will NEVER believe you."

Another added, "He is an extreme threat to democracy, he is a criminal."

A person also stated, "LIAR... LIAR.. LIAR.... LIAR... LIAR."

Another said, "It boggles me he isn't in jail. The anti-christ of my lifetime."

A user said, "Who still believes this dude? Honestly if you do hope you get out the cult soon", while one commented, "This is a very sick man."

A person wrote, "Donald trump literally doesn't know anything. Donald Trump is THE most documented liar in human history."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.