(This article was inspired, in part, by the Marvel series “What If…?”. The series explores various alternate timelines across the multiverse in which major moments occurred differently. For example, if Peggy Carter was injected with the serum and became Captain America, instead of Steve Rodgers.)
I consider an alternative timeline in which Trump was killed yesterday.
The Lead
After news broke of an attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the internet reaction was typical of modern times. A mixture of comedy, incredulity, conspiracy theories and remonstrations was the order of the day.
It has now been confirmed that Trump was shot by sniper rifle. The bullet, presumably meant for his head, grazed his ear. The shooter, now identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot moments after and pronounced dead at the scene.
Online reaction
While understandably an extremely serious matter, Trump’s made-for-TV personality saw him throw a triumphant fist punch in the air as he was led away by Secret Service agents. Bloodied from the bullet which almost ended his life, he resembled a prizefighter who had been in a slugfest, ending it with a timely signature punch.
The day after the night before
When I woke up, it occurred to me that the morning could’ve gone a lot differently. We could be waking up in a reality where the former President and current frontrunner for the Presidency was dead.
For those who believe in the multiple universe theory, there is perhaps one where Trump is now dead.
What would America look like in that universe?
On the assumption that all universes are uniform, here is my take on what happens next…
Media coverage
There would be feverish discussion on CNN/Fox News/ MSNBC and the other mainstream news channels. Much like this one:
https://x.com/kanekoathegreat/status/1812310841242562655?s=46&t=AjYjZKmMRYtNbL2QjSBx5Q
These channels live for such events, they can expect wild increases in ratings as viewers tune in to see Republicans accuse Democrats of being responsible for the murder, but stop short of directly implicating them in the conspiracy.
You might also see accidental mask slipping from the liberal commentators, unable to hide their delight that their anti-Christ has been slain.
Every broadcast will eventually end with the ‘reminder’ from the host (insert: Anderson Cooper), that politics should be polite disagreement, and not end in murder.
Presidency
Biden would likely declare a day of mourning. This presents him with a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card from the relentless onslaught of the billionaire and punditry class who have been eager to push him aside for a younger candidate.
It would be much more difficult to effect this soft coup now that the nation is mourning the loss of a (beloved) frontrunner. It would be viewed as too chaotic, too divisive.
“This is the time for coming together as a nation” – Talking Head Pundit
The Republicans would eventually nominate someone else, but no one can come close to the charisma and sheer entertainment that Trump can provide.
We can expect furious jostling from the new potential candidates, with the former candidates for the nomination making the case that their candidacy should offer them an inside lane.
If I had to guess who would emerge victorious, I am tempted to say Mitt Romney.
Nicki Haley might also be a strong contender. Her strong Israel backing should impress the military establishment (the real powerbrokers) but her Wall Street appeal seems a little lacking. It doesn’t help that she sounds like a grandma (given her thick southern accent).
Civil war?
With the “everyone is against us” narrative already baked in for the Republicans, you can expect a heightened political sensitivity in the country.
Immediately after Trump’s death is announced, his legacy will already begin to be rewritten.
Even the most apolitical people mutter utterances like:
“YOU MAY NOT HAVE LIKED HIM, BUT YOU CAN’T DENY THAT OUR ECONOMY WAS AMAZING UNDER TRUMP.”
“I LIKED THE FACT THAT HE WASN’T AFRAID TO STICK IT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT.”
“HE WAS THE GREATEST LEADER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.”
And many such nostalgic utterings.
I am not one of those who thinks the country would descend into anarchy. For one thing, Trump is not a political outsider. While he continues to talk the talk of disruptor, he is the leader of the Republican Party.
There is not a mainstream Republican position that Trump does not openly or tacitly support. With his unique brand of talking out of both sides of his mouth, he is able to maintain his outsider image to his credit.
I am quite certain that the shooter was divinely convinced that killing Trump would prevent what he viewed as the apocalyptic event of Trump’s victory.
Most likely, this will be a regular consumer of mainstream channels who have been subjected to months of prophesying about the end times scenario of the Orange Man becoming President again.
Were the shooter challenged on his fear of a Trump presidency with questions like:
– What Trump policies concerns you so massively?
– In the four years Trump was President, what policies did he enact that were so unique and horrifying?
– In what way(s) did America become an authoritarian dictatorship when Trump was President?
He might realise that his hysteria is exactly that.
Unfortunately for him, the media he consumes would not have provided satisfactory answers to those questions.
For what it’s worth, he died doing what he believed in. We are often told there is some intrinsic virtue in that.