A HISTORY OF ASSASSINATIONS

The U.S. has a long history of at least 24 assassination attempts on presidents, both successful and unsuccessful. Lincoln and Kennedy were killed, while Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were only wounded. Plots against Nixon, Gerald Ford, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama were uncovered. Now, Trump can be added to this list.

Since Trump lost the election, political and cultural polarization in society has deepened, with mutual hatred growing between "the poles." Public opinion polls since the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol show that both sides now live in fear and fantasy of a "civil war." A film titled "Civil War" has even been made.

Trump's supporters believe that the American white Christian way of life is being destroyed and that violence may be justified to prevent this. On the other side, there is a belief that the U.S. is undergoing a fascist transformation and that a Trump victory would establish a fascist regime. The Supreme Court's decision to restrict women's rights, the limitation or even banning of abortion in some states, and the content of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation's "Project 2025" program further fuel these fears.

AUTOMATED BULLET VENDING MACHINES

Violence and the use of guns against economic and political rivals are embedded in American tradition and foundational myths. The famous Colt .45 revolver, popularly known as the "peacemaker," is no coincidence; it reflects the frontier justice and morality of settler-colonialism. Owning and even openly carrying a firearm is seen as a legal right in some states. In this environment, it's not surprising that a gun company recently started installing vending machines selling bullets in public places in Texas.

As societal polarization deepens, the inclination to resolve political and cultural conflicts with violence resurfaces. A survey conducted by the University of Chicago in June revealed that support for violence against Trump (10% of American adults, or 26 million people) is higher than support for violence in favor of Trump (6.9% or 18 million people). Until January, polls indicated more support for pro-Trump violence.

This survey feeds into the civil war scenario and suggests that attention may be shifting from armed militias on Trump's side to blaming progressive groups. As tech, energy, and finance plutocrats begin to support Trump, this trend could signify the solidifying of "processual fascism." The rapid decline of Democratic candidate Biden into what some describe as a "living corpse" leaves little room for hope.