US (Washington Insider Magazine) —”History Illustrated” explores how past events provide context for today’s news, using AI-generated graphics to enhance our understanding. One alarming constant in U.S. politics is the threat faced by presidential candidates, with four sitting presidents having been assassinated to date.
Recently, a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump occurred while he was golfing. On September 15, 2024, an armed suspect targeted Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club, escaping after a Secret Service intervention. The suspect was later arrested, and Trump was unharmed. This incident joins a long history of attacks on presidential hopefuls.
On October 14, 1912, Theodore Roosevelt, running as the Progressive Party candidate, survived a near-fatal shooting in Milwaukee. His 50-page speech and steel eyeglass case slowed the bullet, allowing him to deliver his address despite a bullet in his lung. Though he survived, Roosevelt’s campaign was derailed, and Democrat Woodrow Wilson won the election.
Similarly, in 1968, Robert Kennedy, after securing the California primary, was assassinated during his bid for the Democratic nomination. His death shifted the political landscape, with Hubert Humphrey becoming the nominee but ultimately losing to Richard Nixon.
In 1972, Alabama Governor George Wallace, a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, was paralyzed after being shot during a campaign rally. Though Wallace won the Michigan and Maryland primaries while hospitalized, his injuries ended his campaign.
Now, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris vying for the presidency, the topic of gun control has resurfaced. As the nation grapples with these recurring threats, the question remains whether the current candidates will take meaningful action on this divisive issue. The latest attempt on Trump’s life highlights the enduring dangers faced by U.S. political figures and the urgent need for reform.
