Trump said today, "You see those crazy shooters in the news, but they only target presidents who are significant and influential. They won't go after unimportant presidents, right?"
Look at them—Abraham Lincoln, a big figure, very significant. John Kennedy, in a way, was also very influential. He represented something very important. You know, he served for only 1,000 days, and that book is called "One Thousand Days." But he was significant. He had charm, and he brought some good things to our country, right? But the key point is, they were all significant, influential presidents.
Recently I also heard and saw someone say—that shooters only target significant presidents. So maybe I want to become just a little less significant. Tom, can we be a bit more modest? Just a little, more moderate, more relaxed. How about we be an ordinary president for a while."
Comment: What Trump is really saying is that only big figures get targeted. I'm that big figure. By comparing himself to Lincoln and Kennedy, he's subtly praising his own greatness and significance. On the surface, he says he wants to be a bit more low-key and safe, but actually, he's just showing off, and even trying to play the victim to gain sympathy. Treating such a dangerous matter as proof of his "importance," it's both arrogant and realistic. It also shows how serious the social divisions are in the U.S. now, which is really unsafe.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857942062176266/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.