Timothy L. O'Brien, Columnist

Trump’s ‘Divine Intervention’ May Be Just a Talking Point

The observations from the former president and some of his ardent followers after his narrow escape from a shooter’s bullet smack of convenient politics.

July 17, 2024 at 9:00 AM UTC

By Timothy L. O'Brien

Timothy L. O'Brien is senior executive editor of Bloomberg Opinion. A former editor and reporter for the New York Times, he is author of “TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald.”

Hand of God?
Photographer: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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The bullet a shooter fired at Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally last Saturday fortunately missed its mark, piercing the former president’s ear instead of doing greater and graver damage.

Circumstance played a role in sparing Trump. His assailant was reportedly a bad shot, and Trump turned his head away from the bullet soon before it reached him. Trump also thanked law enforcement and first responders for protecting him (though security lapses at the rally are being examined).