FOR FREE PEOPLE

Join Us for Our Next Book Club!

FOR FREE PEOPLE

Yesterday evening’s attack on Donald Trump is reminiscent of the shootings of Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt—Douglas Murray for The Free Press.
Bloodstained shirt worn by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, photographed following an assassination attempt by New York saloon keeper John F. Schrank on October 14, 1912, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Roger Viollet via Getty Images)

Things Worth Remembering: How to Respond to an Almost-Assassination

Yesterday evening’s attack on Donald Trump is reminiscent of the shootings of Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt—and their pitch-perfect response.

By Douglas Murray

July 14, 2024

Welcome to Douglas Murray’s Things Worth Remembering, in which he presents great speeches from famous orators we should commit to heart. This week, in light of yesterday’s news, we are bringing you two speeches from two former American presidents after attempts on their lives. 

I was in Baltimore about to go onstage when I heard the news out of western Pennsylvania.

I felt sick to my stomach and uncharacteristically speechless. 

This is a column that is meant to elevate words—the tools we use in a civilized society to air divergent views, to spar, and, ultimately, to resolve our political disputes. It is born of the hope that the things we say can deepen our democratic commitments and preempt bloodshed.

This post is for paying subscribers only

Subscribe

Already have an account? Log in

our Comments

Use common sense here: disagree, debate, but don't be a .

the fp logo
comment bg

Welcome to The FP Community!

Our comments are an editorial product for our readers to have smart, thoughtful conversations and debates — the sort we need more of in America today. The sort of debate we love.   

We have standards in our comments section just as we do in our journalism. If you’re being a jerk, we might delete that one. And if you’re being a jerk for a long time, we might remove you from the comments section. 

Common Sense was our original name, so please use some when posting. Here are some guidelines:

  • We have a simple rule for all Free Press staff: act online the way you act in real life. We think that’s a good rule for everyone.
  • We drop an occasional F-bomb ourselves, but try to keep your profanities in check. We’re proud to have Free Press readers of every age, and we want to model good behavior for them. (Hello to Intern Julia!)
  • Speaking of obscenities, don’t hurl them at each other. Harassment, threats, and derogatory comments that derail productive conversation are a hard no.
  • Criticizing and wrestling with what you read here is great. Our rule of thumb is that smart people debate ideas, dumb people debate identity. So keep it classy. 
  • Don’t spam, solicit, or advertise here. Submit your recommendations to tips@thefp.com if you really think our audience needs to hear about it.

Onwards!

Close Guidelines

Comments 636

Latest