
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Former President Donald Trump was escorted off stage by Secret Service during an incident at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday that left him bloodied—and one rally attendee and the alleged shooter are <a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-13-2024#00000190-ae66-dc4e-ab9d-ae6e88490000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">both dead</a>—though Trump’s campaign has said the former president is fine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>The rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was interrupted by what were apparently gunshots sent Trump and members of the crowd ducking as the former president was surrounded and rushed off stage by several Secret Service agents.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922590.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62410" style="width:730px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922590.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922590-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922590-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Secret Service Donald Trump onstage at a rally. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Trump pumped his fist in the air multiple times while being escorted off stage before he was rushed into a vehicle.</p>



<p>Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi <a href="https://x.com/SecretSvcSpox/status/1812256378616201726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeted</a> Trump is safe following the incident and that an investigation is underway, adding in a <a href="https://x.com/SecretSvcSpox/status/1812288378596982908" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">follow up statement</a> that one spectator was killed and two were critically injured.</p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="BREAKING NEWS: Shots Fired At Trump Rally, Former President Pumps Fist As He&#039;s Rushed Off Stage" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XL3D0h5j0Lo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p>Trump’s campaign said the former president is fine and “being checked out at a local medical facility.”</p>



<p>Trump said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112782066045321247" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Truth Social post</a>&nbsp;a bullet pierced his upper right ear and noted he knew something was wrong when “he heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”</p>



<p>A Washington Post reporter&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/merylkornfield/status/1812263916497506711?s=46&amp;t=tLA9t1ZxaftGRgOfBId-2A" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">posted on X</a>—and The Associate Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-13-2024" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">confirmed</a>—that the local district attorney says “Trump was grazed by gunfire but is safe” but that an “audience member was killed and the shooter is dead” and another person remains in serious condition.</p>



<p>The shooter was located outside the rally and killed by the Secret Service, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-13-2024#00000190-ae84-d267-ab98-aee683c30000" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">the AP</a>, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-13-2024#00000190-aed8-dc4e-ab9d-aefe75c60000" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">noted</a>&nbsp;an AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene of the shooting by law enforcement.</p>



<p>An&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JakeMRosen/status/1812264826498081212" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">emergency room doctor</a>&nbsp;attending the rally told a CBS News reporter he tried to save someone in the crowd who was shot in the head during the incident.</p>



<p>President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident and said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/13/statement-from-president-joe-biden-6/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;he is “grateful” to hear Trump is safe, adding, “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America.”</p>



<p>Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, considered a possible Trump running mate, seemed to direct blame for the shooting at the Biden campaign, <a href="https://x.com/JDVance1/status/1812280973628965109" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeting</a> the &#8220;central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump&#8217;s attempted assassination.&#8221;</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922001.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62409" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922001.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922001-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-2161922001-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WAS IT AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON TRUMP?</h2>



<p>It certainly appears so, as Goldinger told CNN the shooter was outside the rally and “several hundred yards away.” When asked if he believed it was an assassination attempt, President Biden said prior to Goldinger’s statement, &#8220;I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts, so I want to make sure we have all the facts before I make any more comments.” According to the Associated Press, top Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita hinted at some larger conspiracy by writing on X, “well of course they tried too keep him off the ballot , they tried to put him in jail and now you see this …,” but then deleted his post.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery <a href="https://t.co/ZdxkF63EqF">pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1812256998588662068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Political violence is terrifying. I know.<br><br>I’m holding former President Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable—never.</p>&mdash; Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) <a href="https://twitter.com/GabbyGiffords/status/1812266601053405691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.…</p>&mdash; Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1812271849893442018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Donald Trump Injured During Shooting At Campaign Rally In Butler, PA

Bloodied Trump Rushed Off Stage After Shooting—1 Bystander And Alleged Shooter Dead


<p><strong>With the country’s democratic voting process set to take place later this week, FORBES AFRICA speaks to several analysts about the mindset of the citizens and what may unfold in the coming days.</strong></p>



<p>As South Africa prepares to head to the polls on May 29, social media has been abuzz with rhetoric and political memes in equal measure. But despite the light-hearted approach to the challenges they face, South Africans know that the decisions made later this week are no laughing matter.</p>



<p>A MarkData poll released by eNCA on May 20, showed that the ruling party is likely to receive 43.4% of the national vote. The figure is slightly higher than that of the Ipsos opinion poll from April that had the ANC attaining 40.2%.</p>



<p>“This is the party which liberated the country, which ended apartheid. This is the party which gave many voters their first house, electrification, running water, the opportunity of freedom. And I think that still lingers for many voters, certainly older voters,” says election analyst, Wayne Sussman, who was involved in the MarkData study.</p>



<p>The past few years have seen the unemployment rate soar, with it standing at 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024, numerous allegations of corruption and obstruction of justice, and 332 days&nbsp;of load shedding in 2023 alone. Yet, the ANC still has a significant element going for them, according to political analyst Asanda Ngoasheng.</p>



<p>“The ANC continues to have the widest range of policies that cover the widest range of South Africans. They have a lot of diverse representation within them.”</p>



<p>Despite the governing party appealing to the broadest sphere of the population, many voters remain undecided as to where to cast their ballot.</p>



<p>“To a large extent, people do not feel close to political parties in the same way as they once did,” explains Collette Schulz-Herzenberg, an associate professor in the department of political science at the Stellenbosch University.</p>



<p>“Party identification has declined across the electorates. There&#8217;s just less people with a party identification. And we know from global studies that party identifiers are more likely to vote because they are motivated to do so.”</p>



<p>“The ANC has hurt the South African electorate so much that they mistrust it,” notes Ngoasheng.</p>



<p>“People don&#8217;t believe the government when it says loadshedding is over or when it says they&#8217;ve solved XYZ. We almost live in a situation of permanently waiting for the other shoe to drop. Even when there is potentially good news, people kind of wait for like, well, what&#8217;s the negative that&#8217;s going to come out of it?”</p>



<p>“What we&#8217;ve seen is that people tend to leave the ANC because they just feel dissatisfied with the performance of the party in government, but they don&#8217;t necessarily switch their vote to an opposition party,” explains Schulz-Herzenberg.</p>



<p>Despite past trends, those contesting the elections — especially first-time candidates — will be hoping the discontent motivates voters to try something new.</p>



<p>“There are 52 parties in the ballot. We’re in a very fragmented environment, and there&#8217;s a scenario that the five biggest parties in Parliament will all go backwards in this election,” Sussman says.</p>



<p>A showdown is expected in KwaZulu-Natal where former President Jacob Zuma is likely to take away votes from both the ANC and EFF with the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.</p>



<p>“MK will be the big story in this election, even if they don&#8217;t reach their potential,” says Sussman. Based on the previously-mentioned MarkData predictions, the party will achieve 46.4% of the provincial vote.</p>



<p>It also remains to be seen whether the DA maintains its national position as the official opposition, or whether a loss of support will pivot the EFF to that spot.</p>



<p>“Rise Mzansi seem to be capturing quite a lot of the middle class vote across the racial line, which is interesting to observe considering that most Africans vote along racial lines,” says Ngoasheng.</p>


South African Election Campaign Posters

A Look Ahead As South Africans Prepare For 2024 Elections


<p>South Africa is on the brink of a historic electoral shift as it prepares for the general elections set for May 29. President Cyril Ramaphosa&#8217;s announcement of the election date, coinciding with the country&#8217;s 30th anniversary of democracy, marks a critical juncture for the African National Congress (ANC) and the nation&#8217;s evolving political landscape.</p>



<p>The ANC, having dominated South African politics since the end of apartheid in 1994, faces a significant test as polls suggest a decline in its popularity among voters. Marisa Lourenço, a seasoned political and risk analyst, points out to FORBES AFRICA, &#8220;Even if the ANC drops below 50% of the total vote share, it will almost certainly remain the largest party in parliament.&#8221; This potential shift towards coalition governments at the national level raises questions about service delivery and governance stability.</p>



<p>Lourenço warns of the challenges posed by coalition politics, citing the local level&#8217;s chaos as a possible precursor to what could unfold nationally. &#8220;But I don’t expect things to be quite so bad at the national level,&#8221; she adds, suggesting that the ideological similarities between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) might offer a silver lining for governance stability.</p>



<p>The recent compulsory release of documents related to the ANC&#8217;s cadre deployment policy has stirred controversy, revealing the party&#8217;s strategy for placing political appointees across government levels. Lourenço argues that the focus should be on the message, not the messenger, as it exposes the depths of kleptocracy within South Africa&#8217;s judiciary. &#8220;Proof of the attempt to capture the judiciary is the single largest event post-1994 that indicates that not all is well in democratic South Africa,&#8221; she asserts, questioning the readiness of South Africans to confront these revelations.</p>



<p>The timing of Ramaphosa&#8217;s election date announcement, deemed unusual by some due to its proximity to the budget speech, is strategic according to Lourenço. She believes it served to distract from the cadre deployment controversy and focus on the importance of voting, amidst the ANC&#8217;s attempts to leverage its liberation movement legacy to maintain support.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the emergence of new political parties, including the MK party endorsed by former President Jacob Zuma, introduces additional dynamics into the election. However, Lourenço views Zuma&#8217;s influence as limited, particularly on a national scale. &#8220;His message resonates in KwaZulu-Natal, but he doesn’t have a wider national pull,&#8221; she explains, downplaying the potential impact of Zuma&#8217;s political maneuvers on the broader election outcome.</p>



<p>As South Africa approaches these pivotal elections, the ANC&#8217;s dominance is challenged not only by internal factionalism and national issues such as power cuts and unemployment but also by the evolving political landscape marked by the emergence of new parties and coalition possibilities. The public&#8217;s response to these developments, informed by statements from political figures like Ramaphosa and analyses from experts like Lourenço, will shape the future of South Africa&#8217;s democracy and governance.</p>



<p>Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of democracy, this election is not just a procedural event but a moment of introspection for the nation. The ANC&#8217;s historical significance and its role in the anti-apartheid movement have afforded it a longstanding majority. However, the current political climate, characterized by public dissatisfaction with service delivery and economic challenges, suggests a potential reconfiguration of power dynamics.</p>



<p>Coalition governance, while a new concept at the national level, offers a glimpse into the possible future of South African politics. The experiences at the local government level, though mixed, highlight the complexities of shared governance. Analyst Lourenço emphasizes that while coalitions can introduce policy inertia, the ideological proximity of the ANC and DA may mitigate some governance risks. &#8220;The two largest parties in parliament – at the moment, and almost certainly after the upcoming elections – are the ANC and the DA, and ideologically they are very similar, which is a plus for overall stability in governance,&#8221; she explains.</p>



<p>Public statements from political leaders like Ramaphosa, urging democratic participation and peaceful campaigning, alongside analyses from experts, highlight the significance of these elections not just for governance but for the very fabric of South African democracy. &#8220;International experience shows that employees with critical skills contribute to improved productivity, enhanced innovation,&#8221; Ramaphosa noted in his newsletter, signaling the strategic importance of this electoral moment.</p>



<p>As South Africa stands at this crossroads, the 2024 elections offer a chance to reflect on the journey since the end of apartheid, evaluate the successes and shortcomings of the ANC&#8217;s governance, and decide on the path forward. The potential for coalition governments, the impact of new political parties, and the electorate&#8217;s response to current challenges will not only determine the immediate future of the country but also set the tone for South Africa&#8217;s democratic and governance landscape for years to come.</p>


Tag: 2024 Elections

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

Bloodied Trump Rushed Off Stage After Shooting—1 Bystander And Alleged Shooter Dead

A Look Ahead As South Africans Prepare For 2024 Elections

South Africa’s Pivotal Polls: The Country Will Vote On May 29