Don't let the media or the GOP frame this photograph beyond what it really represents:

[Baitball Blogger]

This is the defining photograph of Trump vs. victims of bullies who happen to have Republican parents with well-stocked gun rooms.

[Skittles]

1. it was a photo op!

they literally allowed him to do that - WTF, wouldn't they wonder if there was more than one shooter? WTF!!!

[mzmolly]

6. And the fact that he wanted a photo op while a man lay

dead is disgusting. He had no idea how his supporters were doing at the time he mugged for the camera. He expressed no concern for anyone. Just took a moment to ask about his shoes and strike a pose.

[Skittles]

8. well THAT is just Trump being Trump

he doesn't give a DAMN about anyone else

but I don't understand how the SS would allow that, it makes no fucking sense

[mzmolly]

15. He likely made sure the SS were loyalists who obeyed

him overall. I agree it make no sense. It's like "here, take another shot!"

[malaise]

18. THIS

Rec

[Mossfern]

43. Yes!

Hubris?

[Pisces]

10. Spin as hard as you want. He seized the moment which shows he has clarity of mind to know there was a photo op.

[Skittles]

13. nonsense

he is a malignant narcissist who is literally incapable of concern for the safety of others

[mzmolly]

28. Exactly!

[mzmolly]

14. Spin? It's a disgusting time to think about photo ops.

Kinda my point.

[Pisces]

34. This happened in the moment. A split second decision with some shock. Sorry, but no one is going to think

Wow what a callous asshole in the moment. Now after all if said and done if he doesn’t acknowledge the deceased and injured you have an argument.

[mzmolly]

35. I have an argument

regardless. I think he's a callous asshole and that was further demonstrated by his seeking a photo op in the midst of it all. People were still screaming and panicking at the time. Being politically advised to say a few words about the dead after the fact, isn't very revealing.

That said, he's reportedly out golfing today.

[Pisces]

37. Another photo op trying to show I'm a macho strong man

Nothing rattles me. He’s totally playing into his bases strongman, authoritarian love affair.

[mzmolly]

39. Agreed.

[58Sunliner]

38. How long was he on the ground for? 30 seconds? A full minute?

The idiot could barely react in the moment to being shot at.

[Mossfern]

44. Well then,

call me No One.

[FoxNewsSucks]

51. Convicted treasonous felon MF45 hasn't acknowleged the other victims yet, so

yes. They have an argument.

Piece of shit thinks of NO ONE but himself.

[58Sunliner]

36. He was on the ground long enough for his weasel brain to reflexively ask how can this benefit me?

A normal person with empathy would think of the others and not fist pump over a dead body.

[kelly1mm]

52. Agree 100%. This photo was taken seconds after the shooting. It is unreasonable to think that he knew anyone

else was shot at the time. Say what you will about President Trump, his natural political instincts are uncanny.

[mzmolly]

56. He looked like a callous, out of touch idiot

but ok.

[wnylib]

57. The man who died was directly behind Trump

with his head blown off and blood everywhere. Trump could not have missed noticing that.

[democrattotheend]

22. Did he know at that point that someone in the audience had been killed?

I don't see how he could have possibly known that moments after he was shot and the Secret Service was scrambling to get him off stage.

[mzmolly]

26. Did he care?

Did he understand that there was a mass shooting into a crowd of his supporters? Why would anyone think about his image at a time like that?

[Skittles]

30. LOL

are you seriously defending that POS? Shots fired around ANY CROWD may mean casualties

[democrattotheend]

42. In general, no

I think he's a total piece of garbage human being and yesterday doesn't change that. But I always try to be fair to everyone, and I wouldn't judge anyone for things they say in the seconds or minutes after being shot at. Even far more empathetic people might not think to ask about other casualties moments after being nicked by a bullet and shoved to the ground. There are plenty of things to criticize Trump for. Picking apart what he said or did or didn't say or do in the moments after he was shot just sounds petty and ridiculous.

If in the coming days and weeks he talks only about what happened to him and doesn't mention the other victims that's another story.

[mzmolly]

50. He mugged for the camera and yelled 'fight fight fight.'

That's my issue. This is not the behavior of a compassionate human being.

[Skittles]

59. ......

bottom line is, if the repuke party had their way AR15's would be issued to every household - THIS IS ON THEM

[democrattotheend]

61. That is a perfectly fair criticism

And one that we should make, although maybe not immediately for strategic reasons. Once the dust settles, it's totally reasonable to criticize Trump's stance on guns, his history of encouraging violence, etc. But criticizing him for not immediately asking about other casualties in the heat of the moment makes us sound ridiculous.

[bdamomma]

23. He thinks

only about himself. Sickening POS he is.

If he was anywhere else his ass would be locked up!!!

[wnylib]

55. The instant self-serving fist demonstration

is not heroic. It shows ego over concern for others. Me, me, me.

We should call it the "Look at me" photo. Never mind that other guy who died or the people who were injured. *I* am ok and that's all that matters.

Meantime, reports are coming in that the man who died was the real hero of the day. He died because he shielded his family when he heard the shots.

[live love laugh]

53. They posed too‼️

[FBaggins]

2. Try as we might - there's no spinning that image

Whether he wins or loses in November - that’s the image that will be in the history books decades down the line. Could be a Pulitzer

[Skittles]

3. yeah - nothing more American than an AR15 shooting

[TwilightZone]

11. I had the same thought last night.

The NY Times photographer who appears to have captured the bullet in flight is also probably looking at a Pulitzer.

[Sympthsical]

25. And he already has two

Doug Mills won his first in 1993 for his coverage of Clinton's first campaign, and again during the Lewinsky scandal.

It's a Dougaissance.

[usonian]

4. The dead don't get the opportunity.

History is written by the victors ... Churchill

The dead know only one thing: that it is better to be alive ... Kubrick/Full Metal Jacket

Maybe AI will change that.

[Ferryboat]

5. Timed for opening of RN convention?

Think of the optics. Conmans wet dream?

[Xavier Breath]

45. I can see him walking out on stage

with a copy of that blown up to fill the stage and stretched to the rafters. Untold numbers of MAGAts are no doubt jerking off to that image as we speak.

[live love laugh]

58. Yup

[LiberalFighter]

7. Photo was photoshopped.

There was no flag behind him in the bleachers. Flags were to the left of the bleachers. Photo does not have bleachers or people in the background.

[TwilightZone]

12. The flag was hanging from a crane above him.

You can see the edge of it and the crane in the first pic here:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/13/us/trump-rally-shooting-maps-photos.html

The crane is visible in photos from other sources.

Seriously, people. This conspiracy nonsense has just gotten silly. We look ridiculous when we fall for this stuff.

[LiberalFighter]

20. The video did not show flag hanging in the background

Those other sources are using the same photo

[FBaggins]

21. Sorry - that's simply wrong

He puts up those crane-hung flags at almost all of his outdoor events

[Ligyron]

54. Look at all that TRASH!

There's enough clear plastic laying there to kill hundreds of poor turtles thinking it's a jellyfish.

What a bunch of slobs, probably never recycle either.

[TwilightZone]

47. No, they're not.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/gunman-pointed-rifle-at-local-officer-before-firing-at-trump-during-rally-sources-tell-ap

Please stop spreading misinformation.

[soandso]

49. It was right above the stage

[Pisces]

9. Too late. Everyone on social media is passing this photo around. Imagery is strong.

[mzmolly]

17. The imagery demonstrates he's a careless idiot,

to me.

[democrattotheend]

24. Especially in comparison to how Biden looked at the debate

I hate to say it, but this photo makes the fact that Biden came across as old and weak even worse. Obviously, I'd much rather have a president who's compassionate and human, old or not, but the contrast isn't good for us.

[Skittles]

31. FUCK Cadet Bonespurs

FUCK HIM

[DoBW]

16. total BS

Iwo Jima wannabe. but while we're here, how much? frame is extra

[ucrdem]

19. He says "wait, wait, wait" and pushes down the agent's arm in front of him

then puts his fist up and says "fight, fight, fight." This per France24 live report. But it accords with the NYT video. So he made sure to capitalize on the publicity before he was even back on his feet. I think that's why the agents are grinning in the Iwo Jima tableau.

[FakeNoose]

48. This is how Chump plays to the TV cameras ... he knew they were rolling

... he took advantage of it. That doesn't make Chump a warrior, or a hero. It just makes him an asshole.
The Secret Service guys should have knocked him down and covered him.

[Scrivener7]

27. Gracious! The SS certainly was accommodating, slowing and ducking so that photo could be taken.

[Miami Blue]

29. Dick-Tator Trump aka Don Van Gogh

Dick-Tator Trump aka Don Van Gogh is a coward just like all bullies.
Nonetheless, he raised his fist to look obstreperous but in reality, he was shitting his underwear.
Remember that Dick-Tator Trump is an actor
and a member of the Screen Actors Guild aka
SAG.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-takes-big-pension-from-sag-aftra-despite-quitting-after-january-6-riot

[Bitbit]

32. This may be trivial

I’ve looked at numerous pics of this pose and I don’t see even a smudge of blood on the right hand or shirt cuff. It appeared he grabbed his ear open handed as he sank down. There should be at least a smudge or stain on that hand. There is not.


Edit to correct grammar

[Mossfern]

33. A human

would be more concerned about what was happening and the welfare of the people in the crowd than a good photo op. (and his shoes) He's ruthless.

[doc03]

40. I have already heard that photo will live in infamy like the Iwo Jima photo.

They will build trump up like he was Harrison Ford saving Air Force 1.

[Baitball Blogger]

41. Which will make it more comical over time.

Took us more than two centuries to figure out the false narrative behind Thanksgiving and even Columbus discovering America. I have every bit of confidence that Americans will figure out the truth behind the Bloody Trump photo much sooner.

[JI7]

46. He will try to do with this what Giuliani did with 9-11

[niyad]

60. Isn't there some question of that flag being photoshopped? Certainly seem

to remember that from yesterday.