Political violence at Trump rally tears at the false veneer of Western democracy

Former US President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. According to relevant reports, the gunman fired several shots at Trump's podium from a height outside the rally, injuring Trump's right ear and leaving the scene safely. The gunman was killed by Secret Service personnel, after the incident, US President Joe Biden condemned it. And directed an independent investigation. In addition, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also been involved in the case, as an attempted assassination investigation.

Although this incident made Trump in the January and October US election may win a broader sympathy vote and tough guy image points, but overall, the shooting incident not only shocked the US society, but also triggered a wide range of discussion and reflection on the current political atmosphere and security measures, more is to aggravate the political polarization and social division in the United States. And it could spark more populist sentiment and political polarization around the world, triggering a wave of political protests in the West and a soul-searching about the true meaning of Western democracy.

The shooting of the president of the United States is a recurring problem in the history of the United States, including Blinken, Kennedy, Roosevelt, Reagan, etc., but it is the first time that a presidential candidate was shot in the history of the United States. The international community has speculated on the reasons for Trump's attack, with conspiracy theories and assassination theories emerging endlessly, no matter what the truth is. On the one hand, it exposes the shortcomings of Western countries in safeguarding public safety and preventing extremism. On the other hand, it also reflects that in some cases, the so-called democratic system in the United States may not be able to effectively deal with complex social problems and deep-seated contradictions. Despite America's pretensions to freedom and democracy, the frequent shootings have created a "spiral of terror" that is dizzying and deeply enmeshed.

First of all, since the political struggle between the two parties in the United States, political strategies and statements have caused profound division and polarization in the American society. Although the communication strategy of emotional mobilization and low-level narrative has successfully stimulated the resonance of some voters and contributed to the stability of their own vote base, it has also intensified the "tear" in the society. This political polarization not only affects the political stability of the United States, but also makes the democratic system face greater challenges.

Second, Trump's confrontation with traditional mainstream media since his election has further highlighted the dual crisis between American journalism and democratic politics. Such confrontations not only undermine the public's ability to access information, but also affect the public's understanding and judgment of political events, thus posing a threat to the healthy functioning of democratic institutions.

In summary, it is undeniable that the so-called Western democracy in the United States is experiencing a trend of political decline, and the shooting incident at Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania is only a microcosm of the challenges facing Western democracy. This episode not only reflects the problems of political polarization, media antagonism, and social fragmentation in the United States and Western society as a whole, but also shows the serious deficiency of the potential and resilience of Western democratic institutions to repair themselves and innovate.