Hillary Clinton Calls Donald Trump a ‘Danger to the Nation and World’ After Second Assassination Attempt

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday labelled Donald Trump a “danger to our country and the world,” just one day after a gunman was thwarted in an attempt to shoot the former president.

Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, commented during an interview on MSNBC’s primetime show hosted by Rachel Maddow. During the discussion, Clinton reflected on the role of the press in covering political figures, quoting the late journalist Harry Evans.

“The late great journalist Harry Evans once said that journalists should try to achieve objectivity,” Clinton remarked. “The object, in this case, is Donald Trump.

His demagoguery. His danger to our country and the world,” she added. Clinton criticised what she saw as lenient media treatment of Trump, comparing it to the “merciless” scrutiny faced by President Joe Biden.

Hillary Clinton said Trump posed a “danger” to the country and the world one day after the assassination attempt. MSNBC

Her comments came just a day after a potentially deadly attack on Trump was narrowly avoided. The incident occurred Sunday while Trump, 78, played golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. A Secret Service agent on patrol spotted a gun barrel protruding from a nearby tree line. The agent quickly fired at the suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, before he could shoot at Trump.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at Harry Reid International Airport to board a plane after a campaign trip in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept.14, 2024. AP

Routh fled the scene in his vehicle but was captured by law enforcement after a traffic stop in neighbouring Martin County along Interstate 95. No one was injured in the incident. This marked the second assassination attempt on Trump in just over two months, raising concerns among Republicans about increasing threats of violence.

In the aftermath, Trump pointed fingers at President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging their rhetoric had incited the attacker. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country — both from the inside and out,” Trump told Fox News on Monday.

Body cam footage released by the Martin County Sheriff shows the arrest of Ryan Routh on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the intersection of I-95 N and FL-714. Martin County Sheriff’s Office

Trump’s allies also swiftly condemned Clinton’s remarks, accusing her of escalating political tensions. Donald Trump Jr. took to X (formerly Twitter) to express outrage, writing, “Hillary Clinton knows exactly what she’s doing here. Just a day after a Democrat donor and Kamala Harris supporter tried murdering my dad; she is purposely fanning the violent left-wing flames to put his life further in danger.”

U.S. President Donald Trump plays golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, December 28, 2020. REUTERS

Tim Murtaugh, an adviser to Trump’s campaign, echoed the sentiment, calling Clinton’s comments “evil.” Murtaugh added, “The day after Trump survived a second assassination attempt, Hillary Clinton is out trying to stir up a third one.”

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump makes a campaign stop at the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Saturday, Sept.14, 2024, in Las Vegas. AP

As investigations into the attempted attack continue, tensions between both political sides show no sign of easing, with each accusing the other of contributing to a dangerous and polarised climate in American politics.