What Would Have Happened If Crooks Hadn’t Missed?

No one knows what Thomas Matthew Crooks thought the moment he pulled the trigger. Perhaps he was thinking that a single bullet would solve all of America’s problems. Or maybe he thought he would be lauded as the savior of...

The post What Would Have Happened If Crooks Hadn’t Missed? appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

No one knows what Thomas Matthew Crooks thought the moment he pulled the trigger. Perhaps he was thinking that a single bullet would solve all of America’s problems. Or maybe he thought he would be lauded as the savior of democracy on MSNBC and by the New York Times. It seems likely that, as he pulled the trigger, he saw his target turn his head and Crooks knew he had missed.

Missed by a millimeter.

It’s tempting to say that Crooks’ missed millimeter saved our nation. Without it, the 2024 election would certainly have been a very different thing and the Republican National Convention would have looked like a funeral. (READ MORE: An Armed 20-Year-Old Got Within Range of Trump. How Did That Happen?)

At this point, we’re watching one eventuality (the one in which Donald Trump survived) play out before our eyes. We watched this past week as the RNC demonstrated that Republicans are more unified than they’ve been in decades. We saw journalists and Joe Biden recoil and say that we need to “turn down the volume.” Conspiracy theorists among the Democrats have suggested that it might have been staged, and there’s an inkling of a chance that some try to pin the whole thing on Iran. (READ MORE: Toning Down the Dangerous Rhetoric Didn’t Last Long)

But what might have happened without that millimeter?

This week, I let ChatGPT take a gander. And frankly, I think it underestimated the response that red-blooded Americans would have had:

Prompt: What would have happened if Trump had been assassinated?

Chat-GPT: If Donald Trump had been assassinated during the attempted attack on July 13, 2024, the consequences would have been significant and multifaceted, affecting the political landscape, national security, and social dynamics in the United States. Here are some potential scenarios and impacts:

Political Consequences

1. Immediate Leadership Crisis: The assassination of a former president and active presidential candidate would create a power vacuum within the Republican Party. The party would need to quickly select a new nominee, potentially leading to internal strife and division. Prominent figures like Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, and Nikki Haley might be considered as replacements.
2. Election Uncertainty: The 2024 presidential election would be thrown into turmoil. Voters’ sentiments could be significantly influenced by the event, potentially leading to increased support for the Republican nominee as a sympathy vote or a backlash against perceived political violence.
3. Impact on Democrats: The Democratic Party would likely call for unity and calm while emphasizing the need to address political extremism and violence. President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders might face pressure to ensure stability and security during the election season.

National Security and Law Enforcement

1. Increased Security Measures: The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies would be under intense scrutiny. There would likely be a significant overhaul of security protocols for all high-profile political figures and events to prevent future attacks.
2. Investigation and Response: A comprehensive investigation would be launched to understand the motives and background of the assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. This could lead to increased focus on domestic terrorism and radicalization within the U.S., with potential legislative actions to address these issues.

Social and Cultural Impact

1. Public Reaction: The assassination would likely lead to widespread mourning and national grief, particularly among Trump’s supporters. Vigils, protests, and potentially even civil unrest could occur as people react to the shocking event.
2. Media and Public Discourse: The media would extensively cover the assassination, focusing on its implications for democracy, political discourse, and violence in America. There might be calls for a reduction in incendiary rhetoric from both sides of the political spectrum.

Long-Term Consequences

1. Legacy and Historical Impact: Trump’s assassination would become a pivotal moment in American history, shaping his legacy and potentially influencing how future political leaders conduct their campaigns and rhetoric.
2. Policy Changes: In response to the assassination, there might be new policies aimed at reducing political violence, such as stricter gun control measures, enhanced protection for political figures, and initiatives to combat domestic extremism.

Conclusion

The assassination of Donald Trump would have profound and far-reaching consequences, altering the political landscape, prompting significant national security responses, and impacting American society at multiple levels. The aftermath would likely involve a mix of immediate reactions and long-term changes aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future.

ChatGPT’s response is, quite frankly, a bit bland. First, a good number of these predictions — the impact on voters, placing the Secret Service and law enforcement under “intense scrutiny,” “calls for a reduction in incendiary rhetoric,” and “stricter gun control measures” — are already happening.

Second, ChatGPT has a talent for understating the obvious. Take, for instance, this prediction: “Vigils, protests, and potentially even civil unrest could occur as people react to the shocking event.” (READ more from this column: Here’s How Biden Stays in the Race)

That might just be the understatement of the year.

As a general rule, people do not simply turn the other cheek in the face of political violence. In fact, it’s safe to say that political violence tends to beget political violence — and that is especially true when we are dealing with popular and well-beloved national figures.

That leads us to the real point of this column: The comments section. What do you think might have happened if Donald Trump hadn’t turned his head last week and Crooks hadn’t missed? What would have changed about American politics and how would that have impacted the direction our country chose to go in November?

This is a weekly column at The American Spectator dedicated to exposing the left-wing bent of generative AI machines. If you enjoyed it and want to see what else ChatGPT comes up with, feel free to leave ideas for prompts in the comments section below!

The post What Would Have Happened If Crooks Hadn’t Missed? appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.