Assassination would have pushed America into conflict not seen since the 1860s, says Rees-Mogg

Assassination would have pushed America into conflict not seen since the 1860s, says Rees-Mogg
Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 15/07/2024

- 20:21

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said that the United States would have descended into ‘civil unrest and conflict not seen since the American Civil War’ had Donald Trump been murdered.

Sir Jacob said had Mr Trump been killed, his supporters would have assumed the attack had been ‘ordered by the establishment.’

Speaking to GB News, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “It is a great good fortune that Mr. Trump has survived. He is lucky, and the United States is lucky. Had the bullet been less than an inch further to the left, America could be in the grip of civil unrest and conflict not seen since the American Civil War of the 1860s.

“The degree of anger that there would have been, the feeling that this had been stitched up by the establishment against Donald Trump, who they have been so strongly opposed to, would have been almost unbearable and unbeatable.

“Now here in the UK, we have tended to be fortunate that we do not have a culture of our political leaders being assassinated or serious attempts being made on their lives.

“Donald Trump is indeed fortunate to be alive, as was Margaret Thatcher after the Brighton bombing in 1984 when her life was saved by a few yards.

“The United States is currently a deeply divided nation, and if Mr. Trump were to have been killed, his loyal supporters would have been enraged to such a degree that political and violence would almost certainly have occurred across the country.

“They would have assumed the attack had been ordered by the establishment, which has declared its determination to stop Donald Trump.

“President Biden said in his address to the nation last night, it is essential for democracy that political disagreements are fought at the ballot box.

“Biden has ordered an independent inquiry and security measures in the lead up to the attempted assassination, as an instructed intelligence services to improve security at the Republican National Convention, which is taking place this week.

“So what these events mean for November's presidential election? While polling has been firmly in Mr. Trump's favour for some time now, and recent events are likely to improve his prospects further, perhaps akin, the post Kennedy sympathy boost President Lyndon Johnson saw in the 1964 election.

“The event has overshadowed public discussions about the suitability of President Biden's candidacy after successive gaffes and public mishaps led many to believe he is senile so should not be the Democratic nominee.

“Thus, the ballot paper will almost certainly be Trump versus Biden, and Trump looks set to win.”

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