Following the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, some leftists on social media expressed disappointment that the attack was unsuccessful. The hashtags “How do you miss” and “one job” quickly trended on X, drawing criticism from conservatives and calls for accountability.
Seattle-based journalist Ashley Nerbovig tweeted, “Make America aim again,” before deleting her social media accounts. The Stranger, her publication, condemned political violence and removed her author page from its website. Nerbovig’s tweet was one of many mocking the failed attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed at the scene after wounding Trump and killing rally attendee Corey Comperatore.
Notable leftist figures also made controversial statements. Tyler Barbieri, an official in New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s administration, posted on Instagram, “Too bad he missed.” Jess Branas, a Pennsylvania city councilwoman, wrote on Facebook, “A for effort.” University of British Columbia professor Karen Pinder tweeted, “Damn, so close. Too bad,” and later added, “What a glorious day it could have been!”
These reactions come amid years of harsh anti-Trump rhetoric from some members of the Democratic Party, who have often compared Trump and his supporters to historical tyrants. Conservatives were quick to highlight these statements, pointing to previous calls for violence against Trump by prominent Democrats, including commentator Keith Olbermann, who once tweeted, “There’s always the hope” Trump would be assassinated.
The assassination attempt occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks, positioned on a rooftop about 130 yards from the stage, fired shots that injured Trump and killed Comperatore, who was shielding his family. Authorities later found explosives in Crooks’ vehicle and home, but believe he acted alone.
The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into security measures and the motivations behind such violent rhetoric. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on preventing future threats and ensuring the safety of public figures.
