As Donald Trump prepares to address the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee following an assassination attempt on his life, speculation is rife about the tone he will strike. Will he come out swinging or take a more conciliatory approach?
Recent history has seen high-profile politicians like Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro survive assassination attempts, underscoring the risks faced by populist leaders worldwide. However, the outcomes have varied – with some tragic, like the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, and others political divisive, like the aftermath of Mr. Fico’s attack.
In a deeply polarized political climate, attacks on leaders in Europe and North America are rare but impactful. The responses from opposition parties can be crucial, as seen with Bolsonaro’s opponents in Brazil. The parallels between these events and the political unrest that followed in their wake underscore the delicate balance in addressing such incidents.
Will Donald Trump’s speech at the Convention strike a similar chord? Only time will tell.