Shooting Trump | A big step towards authoritarianism

Like most people I watched the events unfolding last night with horror and shock.

This is a massive moment for Trump supporters, particularly the MAGA/QAnon crowd; this is the moment that verifies every deep state conspiracy theory. There is no hint of shock or sadness from hardcore Trump fans on-line.  They greeted the news of his attempted assassination with triumph and glee; this was the validation they had been waiting for.  The tribulations of Trump, the humiliation in court, the attempted murder all prove to them that he is the chosen one.   While the rest of us looked on shocked, they celebrated.

Mainstream vorters might not share their excitement, but they will find it a lot easier to believe the far right’s fantasies after last night.

That gun shot will make it harder for moderates and democrats to call out the Trump campaign’s escalating violent rhetoric. In power it will give Trump a justification for gutting the FBI and CIA, giving their powers to private security contractors loyal only to himself.   For those Trump fans who seek violence this was the ultimate justification.   Every fantasy about rounding up their enemies, opening camps, tying nooses, has suddenly become real.  They fired first.

Last night was a big step towards authoritarianism for the US 

Liberal democracy is based on a number of key principles, one of which is that there agreement that is such a thing as lies and truth.  We might not all agree all the time, but we do collectively accept that there are such things as facts, and through scientific method and free speech we can arrive collectively at broad agreement of what is real and what is fantasy.

Events like this make it hard for people to know what to believe, to know what is truth and lies.

Which makes it a very powerful moment for wannabe authoritarians. They thrive in an atmosphere where no-one knows, or no longer cares, what is true and what isn’t.  All that matters is what benefits your side against the enemy.  

It could be a left wing or right wing killer, it could be the Biden administration, it could be a false flag by Trump to make him the centre of attention again. Why was the killer shot? Where did the bullet that grazed Trump end up? None of this makes sense.

Which is exactly why this is an absolute winner for Trump. And a massive blow for people who believe in reality and truth and democracy.