Donald Trump struck one of the most iconic poses in American history.
When Donald Trump raised his fist in a defiant salute, he made American history — regardless of whether his show of strength after an apparent assassination attempt was enough to win him reelection to the White House.
He throws punches into the air as blood streams from his face, and an Associated Press photo taken from below the stage by photographer Anna Money shows Secret Service agents grabbing him as he turns to face the crowd.
Trump turned to the crowd and appeared to say, “Fight, fight, fight.”
Brendan McDiarmid
From another angle, Trump is seen pumping his fist as he exits the stage.
Brendan McDiarmid
From another angle, Trump is seen pumping his fist as he exits the stage.
Brendan McDiarmid
It’s unclear what he was shouting at this point, but he appeared to be yelling “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
The contrast is striking at a time when Democrats have almost no fighting spirit left.
Surely, the photo of a bloodied Trump standing with one arm held aloft will go down in history as one of the greatest photographs in American history.
It’s the 21st century equivalent of Muhammad Ali’s victory over Sonny Liston in 1965, or when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists above their heads in the Black Power salute as they stood on the podium at the 1968 Olympics.
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American athletes Tommie Smith (1st place) and John Carlos (3rd place) raise their fists in a Black Power salute during the playing of the national anthem at the Mexico City Olympics.
NCAA Photos
Ali’s challenge to Sonny Liston became an icon of the 1960s.
Bettman/Getty Images
It will go down in history alongside other images from the 20th and 21st centuries, including Neil Armstrong on the moon, a kiss in Times Square, the Normandy landing craft and President Kennedy’s funeral procession.
After Biden’s debate debacle, it may be too late to call this cold-hearted assassination attempt a turning point for the 2024 election, but it certainly does put an end to it.
The only image of Neil Armstrong on the moon, taken by Buzz Aldrin, marked an incredible achievement for NASA.
Buzz Aldrin/NASA
America has come to remember D-Day through the iconic sight of the bow of a Coast Guard landing craft opening up and young American soldiers wading through the water onto the shore.
Robert F. Sargent/U.S. National Archives/Reuters
Defining images of American history have also been tainted by tragedy, including the crowds that witnessed Robert F. Kennedy’s funeral procession move slowly from Washington, D.C., to New York.
Bettman/Getty Images
The gunman’s appearance further raised hopes that Trump could become just the second person to return to the White House after being voted out of office.
The shooting, which may have nearly taken President Trump’s life, may go down as one of the most crucial moments in American political history.
