World of Politics with Harry McGee

Should we have been surprised at the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening? It certainly isn’t commonplace, but it’s not unprecedented.

Four American presidents have been killed by an assassin in the 250-year history of the US, the most recent of course being John F Kennedy in 1963.

Republican president Ronald Reagan narrowly survived after being shot in 1981. There were echoes of the attempt on his life with that of Trump in that in the immediate aftermath there was a talk of the events unifying the US. It didn’t last too long in either instance.

Both men also benefited from a poll fillip, but it is ridiculous to suggest it is anything like a silver lining.

Still, they still have the capacity to shock and stop everybody in their stride.

There’s an old saying from the American War of Independence, the “shot heard round the world”.

It refers to the opening shot that set off the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 which eventually led to Independence and the foundation of the United States.

That image of a bloody-faced Trump raising his fist as he leaves the stage, his face blood-soaked, a look of almost angry defiance on his face. The video of the moment shows his secret service detail trying to huddle him off the stage at the rally in Burton County, Pennsylvania.

He told them to stop for a moment before raising his arm in the air. It showed his instinct and political intuition on how to use that moment. The image unmistakably suggested: bloody but unbowed.

Early this week, little was known of the 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

There were conflicting reports of his involvement with both the Democratic Party and Republican Party. But in an age where everybody’s life is there for all to see on social media, he seemed to have no online presence.

Pictured: A resilient Donald Trump takes to the stage at the Republican convention with a bandage on his ear.