A nation under strain: What the Trump assassination attempt reveals about America

In the heart of the American political landscape, a shocking event has unfolded, sending tremors through the very core of the nation's identity. On July 13, former President and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was shot while speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The attempted assassination on the former President, a figure both prominent and polarizing, has left a visible mark not only on the man himself but also on the collective consciousness of a society already grappling with deep divisions.

A nation built on violence

Immediately after the incident, the incumbent President Biden said, "The idea that there's violence in America like this is just unheard of." Well, no. The United States was born out of violence and has been shaped by it. From the brutal slaughtering of Native Americans, to the senseless deprivation and displacement of them during the Westward Movement, and to the ruthless accumulation of wealth based on the evil of slavery, violence has been a constant undercurrent.

From Lincoln to Kennedy, the specter of political violence has loomed over America's highest office for more than two centuries since its founding, claiming the lives of four presidents and injuring three. Of the 45 individuals who have served as president, 13 were subject to actual or attempted assassinations. Each time, indignant condemnations followed and resolute vows against political violence were renewed, but to no avail.

Today, this violent tradition continues. Gun violence has reached epidemic proportions. Almost half of the world's guns were owned by the country with less than 5 percent of the world's population. The year 2023 alone saw 655 mass shootings nationwide, an average of more than 10 each week. Firearms are now the leading cause of death for American children and teenagers, including gun-related assault, suicide and accidents.

Attempts by states and local governments to control guns have been anything but effective. With polarizing party strife and constant lobbying by gun associations, it is rare for gun control bills to pass through Congress. Even if they do, a conservative Supreme Court can hand out verdicts that roll back progress. Gun violence has become a magnifier to social unrest of all forms and an incurable cancer ravaging the US society.

The ills of a nation

The extreme political polarization and division manifested by the Trump assassination attempt again points to the deep-seated illness of the country. The most intrinsic reason is the comprehensive wane of its economic, technological and industry edges compared to growing global competitors.

Once a "country on wheels," the United States is now falling far behind in electric and smart vehicles. Even its much-prided military industry now seems to be much-strained in producing its "generously" promised ammunition for Ukraine. The drop in economic competitiveness spells out a decline in employment and income, and a rise in the discontent of the people.

The political system is not helping. The democratic process, once a beacon of hope, has devolved into a spectacle of partisanship and division, ineffective in delivering for the people but effective in securing the privileges of the elites and the interest groups, who pockets the legislative, executive and judicial powers with their disproportionate influence. Ballots that once reflect the will of the people no longer do. The voice of the people is barely audible. The US society has regressed from a democratic system to an oligarchy that serves the interests of the few.

Take the presidential election for example. Once a pivotal moment in the nation's political journey, it now seems like a sideshow to the main drama of national chaos. The upcoming presidential election, featuring a septuagenarian and an octogenarian, is a testament to the gerontocracy that has taken hold of American politics. It is a stark reminder that the nation's leadership is out of touch with the vibrancy and innovation that the country once represents. An ill and confused old man insisting on proving himself capable and a populist and protectionist old man being shot in public, a presidential debate fraught with personal attacks and a slew of criminal investigations to throw dirt on the political opponent—the farce of the 2024 election disappoints and infuriates the American people and shocks the world.

These deep-seated issues cannot be resolved by tinkering at the edges. It takes, among other, consistent investment in infrastructure, industries, education and innovation to rekindle economic vitality and shore up competitiveness, and an overhaul of the political system to return the democratic power to the people. Easier said than done. It is hard to maintain the necessary consistency in government policies where party politics is the priority, and quite impossible for the well-established elite class to unseat themselves from a privileged position. The American people thus protested angrily yet helplessly in every way as the economic inequality widens and social unrest worsens.

With falling economic competitiveness, increasing political chaos, and unbridled social violence, the American dream has turned into a nightmare for many. The attempted assassination is more than a political event; it is a tragic episode of the farcical election, and a symptom of a nation in turmoil. Donald Trump may recover from his injuries very quickly, but it will take much longer to make America great again.

The author is a Beijing-based observer of international affairs. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.