Saturday brought a horrible event.
An attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
My SO rushed into the room to tell me about the first report that Trump had been shot; they didn’t know if he was okay, and I can’t even tell you the feeling I had. But many of you probably had that same feeling. It’s been in the back of our minds about what people might try to do to stop him, but so shocking to hear such a thing and then to worry if he would be okay.
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How do you take the measure of a man?
There was a lot of bravery shown in those moments. The Secret Service agents who ran to cover Trump (as opposed to the people who failed to secure the roof), even the photographers rushing to Trump’s side to do their job to let us know what was going on, at great risk to themselves, the people who went to the aid of the injured in the midst of the chaos.
But let’s talk about the quickness of former President Donald Trump under fire. First, dropping to the ground to protect himself. Then when the Secret Service came in to cover him, he immediately realized people would be very worried and upset about him, so he got up, pushed the Secret Service a little to the side enough to let the people see him, and raised his fist in defiance to let everyone know he was okay, even with blood dripping from his ear and face, despite the danger. When he did that a roar went up from the crowd, they were so relieved he was okay. But what bravery and presence of mind that took. That will certainly be an iconic picture. Many referred to that as a brave, “warrior” moment.
As soon as he was able, he also released a statement, and his first thoughts were to thank law enforcement and extend condolences to the family of the person killed and the person reportedly injured in the effort against him. He described a little bit of what the shooting felt like and said, “God Bless America.”
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Let’s compare that with what we heard from Joe Biden. He was slow to get to a podium and make a public statement because he was on vacation at his home in Rehoboth Beach. We’ve seen this again and again with Biden — slow to react and slow to respond to incredibly important world events, and he was yet again here.
When he finally spoke publicly, it was in rambling remarks. He did say that Trump should have been able to have a rally without this happening. He only spoke for about two and a half minutes before he tottered off. He only responded to one question, whether he thought it was an “assassination attempt.” He refused to say, claiming he wanted to wait until the facts were in. By that point, the facts were pretty clear that’s what it was.
Notice in his comments too, he finally refers to Trump by name, realizing he finally has to acknowledge him by his name rather than the offensive way he has been referring to him generally. But still, he says “Donald” — not “President Trump.” Is that because even now, still, he can’t give him his due? Or an effort to be more familiar, and act caring? Whatever his intent there, his usage felt a bit false.
Biden did later call Trump and then come back to Washington, so he wouldn’t be accused of being on vacation at such a time.
What is the measure of a man?
Those immediate reactions of two very different men, even as one was actually under fire, tell us everything we need to know about the kind of leaders they are.
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Related: Biden Addresses Nation After Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump
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