Former US President Donald Trump suffered an injury to his ear in a failed assassination attempt against him. The uncanny photo shows munitions with ‘For Trump’s Ear’ written in Russian. On July 13, while attending a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president in the upcoming US elections, was struck by a sniper’s bullet. His right ear was hit by the bullet, resulting in blood all over his face. One person in the crowd died, and two others were hurt before Secret Service agents shot and killed the suspect.
As the global condemnation for the assassination attempt on the Presidential nominee started pouring in, the images of Russian artillery shells that seemingly supported Donald Trump became a talking point on social media. The authenticity of these claims could not be independently verified. However, Russian troops have scrawled similar messages on their rockets, drones, and artillery munitions on previous occasions. After Ukrainian drones attacked the airfield in Ryazan in December 2022, damaging a Tu-95 bomber, Russian troops deployed Shahed-136 kamikaze drones with ‘For Ryazan’ written on them.
The latest images have piqued interest as they directly reference a US Presidential candidate. Though the photos could not be verified, some war tracking accounts and military bloggers said that Russian troops appear to be avenging the attack on the former President. Some netizens even observed that Moscow may be trying to attribute the assassination attempt to Ukraine.
Kremlin’s Reaction: Russia’s Preference in US Elections
On its part, Russia accused the current Biden Administration of creating a political environment that provoked such an attack. In what seemed to be an overt display of support for Trump, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “After numerous attempts to remove candidate Trump from the political arena using legal instruments at first, courts, the prosecutor’s office, attempts to politically discredit and compromise the candidate it was obvious to all outside observers that his life was in jeopardy.” While Moscow does not “believe that the current authorities organized the attempt to eliminate and assassinate Trump,” Peskov stated that “the atmosphere surrounding candidate Trump… provoked what America is confronting today”.
The Kremlin’s statement mirrored Republican talking points, as some of Trump’s supporters claimed Democrats were inciting hatred toward the former president and attempted to place the responsibility on them. Peskov further added, “Russia has always condemned, and we strongly condemn, any expressions of violence during political struggle.” He also clarified that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not spoken to Donald Trump. However, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev predicted that the election had already been won by Trump after this failed assassination attempt.
In this context, the appearance of artillery shells bearing pro-Trump messages becomes even more intriguing. Russia has become increasingly supportive of the Republican candidate as he continues to call for halting military and financial aid to Ukraine. A US Intelligence official said earlier this month that Russia had once again favored Republican Donald Trump to win this year’s US presidential election. When asked which candidate Moscow wanted to see as the next US president, the official briefing reporters on US election security was cautious, not to mention the former president and Republican contender. However, he indicated Russia supported Trump and said that the US intelligence community’s evaluations of Moscow’s choice from earlier elections had not altered.
“We have not observed a shift in Russia’s preferences for the presidential race from past elections, given the role the US is playing about Ukraine and broader policy toward Russia,” the official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said. According to earlier assessments, Moscow attempted to use influence operations to aid Trump’s victories over Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden, the current US president, in 2020. Russia has refuted all these allegations as baseless. However, if these claims made by the US hold any water, Russia’s support for Donald Trump likely stems from his stance against massive aid flowing into Ukraine. Blasting the US aid to Ukraine last month, Trump said that he would have “that immediately settled” if he was re-elected as President in November.
Moreover, Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a campaign rally in Detroit, labeling him “the greatest salesman of all time” for his efforts to win American backing for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression more than two years after Moscow’s full-scale invasion. “He just left four days ago with $60 billion, and he gets home, and he announces that he needs another $60 billion. It never ends,” Trump said. “I will have that settled before taking the White House as president-elect,” he warned in his most blunt warning. The Biden Administration has stressed that Ukraine needs Western aid to stop Russian aggression and make America safer.
Trump’s Campaign Focus on Ukraine Aid
Donald Trump has unabashedly made Ukraine aid a key issue in his election campaign since the beginning of 2024. In January, for example, he said he could end the Ukraine War in 24 hours if he was returned to the White House. “If I’m president, I will have that war settled in one day, 24 hours.” This strong stance against continued military support for Ukraine aligns with Moscow’s interests, making Trump a favorable candidate for Russia. Trump’s rhetoric suggests a significant shift in US foreign policy should he win, potentially leading to a reduction or cessation of aid to Ukraine. This, in turn, could alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, tipping the balance in Moscow’s favor.
The global response to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump has been overwhelmingly condemnatory. World leaders and international organizations have expressed their shock and dismay at the attack, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes and the rule of law. European leaders, in particular, have been vocal in their support for Trump’s right to campaign without fear of violence. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated, “Any attempt to undermine the democratic process through violence is abhorrent and must be condemned in the strongest terms.” French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for stability and peace in political discourse.
NATO has also weighed in, with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighting the importance of protecting democratic institutions and political leaders. “An attack on any democratic process is an attack on democracy itself. We stand with our ally, the United States, in this difficult time,” Stoltenberg said.
The United Nations has called for a thorough investigation into the assassination attempt, urging cooperation among international agencies to uncover any potential foreign involvement. UN Secretary-General António Guterres remarked, “The sanctity of democratic elections must be upheld, and those responsible for such heinous acts must be brought to justice.” Within the United States, the Republican Party has rallied around Donald Trump, using the assassination attempt as a rallying cry for unity and resilience. Many Republicans see this attack as a direct assault on their values and beliefs. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stated, “This is not just an attack on Donald Trump; this is an attack on the American people and our way of life. We must stand united against such threats.”
The Democratic Party has also condemned the violence, though they have been more measured in their response. President Joe Biden issued a statement condemning the attack and calling for a de-escalation of political rhetoric. “We must remember that our political opponents are not our enemies. We can disagree without resorting to violence,” Biden said. Public sentiment in the US is divided. While many Americans are horrified by the attempt on Trump’s life, others are concerned about the implications of foreign involvement and the potential for increased political violence. Social media platforms have been flooded with both support for Trump and calls for a more peaceful and respectful political discourse.
Potential Impact on US-Russia Relations
The appearance of pro-Trump messages on Russian artillery shells adds a complex layer to US-Russia relations. If verified, these images could be seen as an overt signal of Russia’s preference for Trump’s victory, further straining already tense diplomatic ties. The Biden Administration has been cautious in its response, avoiding direct accusations while emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “We are aware of these reports and are taking them seriously. We will work with our allies and partners to ensure a comprehensive response.”
Congressional leaders have called for hearings to investigate potential foreign interference in the assassination attempt. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced, “We will get to the bottom of this. The American people deserve to know if a foreign power is trying to influence our elections through violence.” International security experts warn that this incident could have broader implications for global stability. If Russia is seen as actively interfering in US politics, it could lead to a new wave of sanctions and diplomatic isolation. This, in turn, could escalate tensions in other conflict zones, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The assassination attempt on Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, both domestically and internationally. The emergence of images suggesting Russian support for Trump adds a troubling dimension to an already volatile situation. As investigations continue, the implications of this event will likely shape the discourse in the lead-up to the US presidential election and beyond. In the face of such challenges, the importance of democratic resilience and the rule of law cannot be overstated. The global community must stand together to ensure that political violence is condemned and that those responsible are held accountable. As the world watches closely, the outcome of these investigations will be crucial in determining the future of US-Russia relations and the stability of the international order.
