Can America Come Together after the Trump Assassination Attempt? | Ian Bremmer | TED

Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump

• Former US President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in what the FBI is investigating as an assassination attempt.
• Trump's actions after being shot, such as getting up and raising his fist, have garnered significant attention and support from his base.
• This incident significantly changes the course of the campaign, making it less likely that Biden will step down and increasing the focus on the polarized electoral cycle.

Challenges to Democracy

• The US is facing a crisis in democracy, with 25% of Americans believing that violence may be necessary to save the country and 75% believing that democracy is at risk.
• The current political climate is characterized by spectacle and grandstanding, with public service taking a backseat.
• Powerful individuals like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have a significant influence on American politics but often prioritize self-aggrandizement over the well-being of their fellow citizens.
• The Supreme Court ruling on presidential impunity, the potential elimination of the filibuster, and the weaponization of government agencies could lead to a hybrid political system similar to Hungary, Serbia, or Turkey.
• The media landscape is highly polarized, with cable news and social media headlines promoting extreme and inflammatory content.
• Many influencers, politicians, and media personalities promote information that is indistinguishable from their personal ideology, making it useless as analysis.
• The media's business model prioritizes maximizing attention and clicks, leading to the spread of misinformation and the erosion of democratic values.

Global Concerns

• World leaders are deeply concerned about the state of American democracy and its impact on global stability.
• America's allies need a strong and stable America, but they are witnessing a weak and divided nation.

Gun Violence

• Despite previous instances of gun reform, the US currently has more guns per capita than any other country except Yemen.
• The combination of political polarization, mental health issues, and easy access to firearms contributes to the high levels of violence in the US.
• The Secret Service's failure to prevent the shooting of former President Reagan is a major concern.

Potential for Change

• America has the potential to turn things around due to its wealth, human capital, and geographic location, but there is a lack of urgency among average Americans to address the crisis.
• Previous incidents, such as the shooting at a softball game involving members of Congress, have not led to meaningful changes in gun reform or bipartisanship.
• There is a fear that calls for change will go unheeded, and that a more disruptive and violent change may be necessary to bring about real transformation.