President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt that shocked the international community, leading to widespread discussions within the American Chinese community. Southern California Chinese lawyer Liu Longzhu was en route to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a California Republican representative when he learned of the news on Saturday. He expressed his strong indignation over the assassination attempt.
Liu Longzhu stated that Trump is the third U.S. president to survive an assassination attempt, following Lincoln, Kennedy, and now Trump. He attributed Trump’s escape to a miraculous head movement he made while speaking, causing the bullet intended for a fatal shot to hit his ear instead of his temple. The Republican National Convention scheduled for July 15 (Monday) will formally nominate Trump as the Republican presidential candidate.
Liu Longzhu found the assassination attempt to be “very strange” with a complex background. To prepare for any potential threats, he also purchased a bulletproof vest and helmet, prioritizing safety over aesthetics.
According to media reports, the 20-year-old gunman was shot dead on the spot by the Secret Service, with Trump sustaining minor injuries to his ear. People were discontented as the Secret Service reportedly ignored at least two reports indicating the gunman’s location prior to the incident. An eyewitness interviewed by the BBC stated that he alerted the authorities and the Secret Service about an armed suspect on a rooftop but was completely disregarded.
Elon Musk tweeted on X, criticizing the incompetence or deliberate inaction of the Secret Service, demanding the resignation of its leadership regardless of the reasons behind their actions.
Within the Chinese online community, criticisms of the Secret Service were rampant with heated debates focusing on whether the assassination was the act of a lone wolf or a group effort. Some even resorted to conspiracy theories, suspecting Trump of orchestrating the assassination himself.
Liu Longzhu firmly believed that the assassination could not have been staged by Trump himself. He argued that the difficulty of orchestrating such an event, where the shooter fired from a considerable distance and factors like wind could affect the accuracy of the shot, would be beyond the capabilities of any director.
A prominent figure in the Chinese community on X, “Kunlun,” pointed out two mysteries surrounding the event: the precision of the rifle shot hitting Trump from a strategically advantageous position and how the gunman managed to infiltrate the area with a rifle and positioned himself close to Trump’s podium. Kunlun raised concerns about the obvious security lapses on the part of the Secret Service, which allowed the assailant to occupy the best shooting location unimpeded.
Many netizens expressed concerns for Liu Longzhu’s safety as he attended the Republican National Convention, calling to remind him about the potential risks he might face. In response, Liu Longzhu emphasized the importance of not letting fear dictate his actions and stated his resolve to attend the event.
Following the assassination attempt, President Biden called Trump to offer his condolences, stressing the importance of condemning such acts of violence and highlighting the need for national unity.