Published on July 15, 2024, 12:50 am

In a world where the internet buzzes with real news and trusted news, the story of two attempted assassinations against former presidents who chose to continue campaigning despite their ordeal presents an intriguing chapter.

Four years out of office and endowed with an impressive personality that attracted both unwavering followers and resolute enemies, one past president returned to vie for another term. It was during this heated campaign that he had a chilling encounter with a prospective assassin. Despite sustaining a gunshot wound and bleeding visibly, this former leader displayed an iron resolve, persevering with his rally to showcase his vitality rather than succumbing to the unforeseen predicament. Yet, certain quarters attributed the vitriolic discourse targeting him as potential sparks igniting violent tendencies in unstable minds.

The shocking incident unfolded at around 8 p.m. on Oct. 14, 1912 as Teddy Roosevelt — pursuing a non-consecutive third tenure — exited the Gilpatrick Hotel to address an audience at the Milwaukee Auditorium. As he made his exit, John Schrank, previously a barkeeper, brandished a Colt .38 revolver from just five feet away and shot Roosevelt in the chest. Miraculously, the bullet got slowed down by a pocketed 50-page speech manuscript and eyeglasses case.

Fast forwarding more than a century later marked another almost identical scenario involving President Donald Trump who faced danger north of Pittsburgh in Butler, Pennsylvania on one fine Saturday afternoon. Despite these disturbing events taking place at different periods in history, what surprisingly binds these individuals together is their courage and determination when delivering speeches in Milwaukee once surviving assassination attempts.

Unlike Roosevelt’s near-fatal injury where the bullet sat lodged close to his heart after drilling through his ribcage—after which medics decided against removal—it was only Trump’s ear that bore evidence of deadly intentions directed towards him—an outcome ensuing from mechanical long-range firepower from an AR-style rifle rather than close-quarter revolver action witnessed during Roosevelt’s time.

The degree to which these assassination attempts shook their respective eras displayed significant similarities and differences. Despite different weaponry and the nature of injuries, the two incidents demonstrate how political passion can boil over into violence.

Following Trump’s near miss with death, his detractors promptly took to reiterate their perceivably exaggerated claims on his posing an existential threat to democracy and equating him with Adolf Hitler. Yet he wasn’t alone in receiving this denunciation; even Roosevelt was beleaguered by comparable criticism from political rivals and media outlets labeling him as power-hungry for seeking a third term.

Addressing his shocked Milwaukee audience with a blood-stained shirt, Roosevelt commented on the unjust slander tossed his way which potentially incites mentally weak and malicious minds towards violent acts. His accusation found confirmation in Schrank’s diary confessing not to have intended murder of citizen Roosevelt but rather Theodore Roosevelt, the third termer.

After an unsuccessful final campaign for presidency following his promotion from vice presidency after President William McKinley’s assassination, despite scoring a second place ahead of incumbent Republican Taft—albeit behind victor Democrat Woodrow Wilson—Roosevelt’s arguably audacious run reinforced his Bull Moose Party’s growing significance within the broader political landscape—an enduring testament to a resilient will that echoes Christian Worldview principles. The parallels between these dramatic incidents not only serve as riveting tales for history buffs but also paint a compelling portrait of leadership through challenging times offering unique perspectives within breaking news headlines.