The attack on Donald Trump has ripped through the 2024 presidential campaign, severely fracturing the social and cultural fabric of the nation.
The longstanding illusion of security and stability in American politics has been abruptly shattered.
Not since John Hinckley Jr. shot Ronald Reagan in 1981 has there been such a startling act of violence aimed at a president or presidential candidate.
Instances of political violence in the US typically lead to heightened polarization and dysfunction, where a single firearm and its user can alter the course of history.
The full impact of Saturday’s events on America and its political discourse remains uncertain.
However, one thing is unmistakable: in a year marked by uncharted electoral challenges, America’s political landscape has taken a perilous new turn.