Republicans, don’t fall into the trap set by Democrats

Donald Trump has several reasons to celebrate this week, but a win in November is not one of them.

Joe Biden is trailing in the polls and struggling to keep up with the passage of time.

However, he is persistent, and the president is ready to use Trump’s recent survival from an assassination attempt to his advantage.

In his Oval Office speech on Sunday, Biden connected the assassination attempt on Trump to other acts of political violence, such as the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

He is revisiting a successful strategy from 2020, where the chaos following George Floyd’s death allowed Democrats to paint Trump as associated with disorder.

The next move for the Biden campaign is clear – blame Trump and the GOP for the assassination attempt by linking it to their stance on firearms.

The motive behind 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks‘ attempt to assassinate Trump remains unknown.

However, Biden is using the fact that Crooks used a rifle to his advantage: Crooks had a passion for firearms, having been part of his high school shooting team, a gun club member, and a fan of a pro-gun YouTube channel, Demolition Ranch.

Democrats will argue that a vote for Trump endorses political instability and potentially arming individuals like Crooks with deadly weapons.

Republicans, on the other hand, have fallen into their own trap.

To score political points or due to group mentality, Trump supporters are echoing Democratic criticisms.

They think they are countering progressives by accusing them of inciting violence with their anti-Trump rhetoric.

Trump even appeared as Adolf Hitler on a recent New Republic cover, raising concerns of instigating violence.

Republicans should be self-aware and realize how emphasizing the dangers of inflammatory language can backfire.

While comparing Trump to Hitler is nonsensical, it is not an incitement to violence.

If voters were to focus on rude rhetoric, Trump might not fare well due not only to what he says but the responses from his critics.

Democrats are eager to campaign on this basis, portraying Biden as a unifying figure and Trump as a source of chaos and controversy.

Trump needs to appeal to moderates without alienating the conservative base to secure victory in 2024.

While he has a strong support base, his uncompromising policies might deter swing voters.

Despite his role in the Supreme Court, Trump avoids turning the campaign into a referendum on abortion.

Democrats are pushing this narrative, while Biden maintains a moderate image despite his strong stances on various issues.

He aims to portray himself as a stable and mature leader, while Trump thrives on drama and excitement.

Trump must show he can navigate the chaos, as he did when he stood tall after surviving the assassination attempt.

Biden capitalizes on his mediocrity as a strength, a tactic that worked for him previously.

Republicans should not aid him by underestimating their chances or adopting the Democrats’ rhetoric on violence.

Daniel McCarthy is the editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review.