Donald Trump, recently inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, has officially assumed office. His journey to the presidency was nearly cut short on July 14, 2024, when he survived an assassination attempt during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. The attack, which left him gravely injured, highlights the dangers faced by politicians on the campaign trail. Unlike Trump, many leaders throughout history have lost their lives in similar circumstances. "Daryo" explored these gripping and often untold stories in a compelling new article.
James Garfield: A Presidency Cut Short by Betrayal and Negligence
Four U.S. presidents have been assassinated, including James Garfield, the nation’s 20th president. While Garfield’s assassination did not occur during an election campaign, it was rooted in resentment over unfulfilled political promises.
On July 2, 1881, Garfield was headed to New Jersey for a summer vacation and a speech at Williams College. Arriving at the train station around 9:20 a.m. with his two sons and Secretary of State James Blaine, he passed through the waiting room when Charles Guiteau, a preacher-turned-lawyer, approached him. Guiteau fired twice with a Bulldog revolver. The first shot grazed Garfield’s right hand, but the second struck his back, causing a grave injury.
Guiteau’s motive stemmed from delusions of entitlement. During Garfield’s 1880 campaign, Guiteau had written speeches, believing his contributions secured Garfield’s victory. Convinced he deserved a prestigious diplomatic role—either as U.S. ambassador to Vienna or France—Guiteau repeatedly wrote to Garfield seeking an appointment. When his demands were ignored, he decided to assassinate the president in retaliation.
Initially, Garfield’s condition seemed stable, as no vital organs were damaged. However, the lack of sterilization during medical procedures introduced severe infections. Doctors, unaware of modern antiseptic practices, operated with unwashed hands, worsening his condition. Garfield suffered from fever, digestive issues, and abscesses. Over two months, his weight plummeted from 95 to 58 kilograms, and his weakened heart ultimately failed on September 19, 1881.
Despite arguments that Guiteau was insane, he was convicted and executed by hanging on June 30, 1882.
The Bullet That Couldn't Stop Theodore Roosevelt
On October 14, 1912, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, demonstrated extraordinary resilience during an election rally in Milwaukee. As he prepared to address the crowd, Roosevelt was shot in the chest. The bullet tore through his glasses case and a folded 50-page manuscript of his speech, slowing its impact but not stopping it from entering his body.
Incredibly, despite the injury, Roosevelt insisted on delivering his speech. Holding the bloodied manuscript, he addressed the gathered crowd for 90 minutes, beginning with the words, "It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose." His determination and composure captivated the nation.
Doctors later discovered that the bullet had lodged in his chest, but removing it was deemed too risky. As a result, Roosevelt carried the bullet for the rest of his life, a permanent reminder of his courage and commitment.
The shooter, John Schrank, claimed he was acting on divine orders and was declared insane. Roosevelt's unyielding spirit during the ordeal further cemented his legacy as one of America’s most fearless leaders.
Robert Kennedy: The Attorney General Who Dreamed of the Presidency
Robert Kennedy, a former U.S. Attorney General and younger brother of President John F. Kennedy, carried the hopes of a nation during his 1968 presidential campaign. Serving as attorney general from 1961 to 1964, Kennedy became a prominent figure in the fight for civil rights and social justice.
In 1968, as the Democratic nominee, Kennedy campaigned with a message of unity and change. However, his aspirations were tragically cut short on June 5, 1968. After delivering a victory speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, he was assassinated in a shooting that shocked the world.
Born in New York City, Kennedy was more than just the brother of the 35th president; he was a leader in his own right, with a vision to guide America through turbulent times.
Shinzo Abe: Japan’s Longest-Serving Prime Minister
On July 8, 2022, Japan was rocked by the assassination of Shinzo Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister. While delivering a campaign speech in Nara, Honshu, Abe was attacked by Tetsuya Yamagami, a former sailor in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Using a homemade firearm, Yamagami fired two fatal shots at the former leader. Abe was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.
Born into a prominent political family—his maternal grandfather was a former prime minister, and his father served as Japan’s foreign minister—Abe began his political journey in 1982 as his father’s secretary.
He first rose to power as Japan’s youngest post-war prime minister on September 26, 2006, though his initial term ended with his resignation in 2007. Abe returned to office in 2012, serving until 2020 and becoming Japan's longest-serving leader.
Abe’s legacy includes significant economic reforms, a strengthened national defense policy, and efforts to raise Japan’s global profile. Following his death, he was posthumously awarded the Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan’s highest honor, recognizing his enduring contributions to the nation.
Rajiv Gandhi: An End to a Promising Leader
On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi, a former Indian Prime Minister and the son of Indira Gandhi, met a tragic end during an election rally in Tamil Nadu. A suicide bomber, disguised as a supporter wearing a garland filled with explosives, approached Gandhi and detonated the device, killing him and 14 others on the spot.
The investigation revealed that the assassination was orchestrated by a separatist group from Sri Lanka. The motive traced back to Gandhi's decision in 1987 to deploy Indian peacekeeping forces to the island nation amidst its civil war—a move that angered the separatists.
Rajiv Gandhi's assassination echoed a devastating family history. His mother, Indira Gandhi, had also been assassinated, gunned down by two of her bodyguards at her Delhi residence on October 31, 1984.
The individuals convicted of Rajiv Gandhi’s murder were initially sentenced to death, but their punishments were later reduced to life imprisonment. Despite his untimely death, Gandhi's legacy remains intertwined with India's modern political history and its efforts to address regional conflicts.
Benazir Bhutto: A Dual Tragedy of Assassination and Explosion
Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's first female prime minister and a two-term leader (1988 and 1993), met a brutal end at the age of 54. Assassinated on December 27, 2007, she was shot in the neck and chest before a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest, sealing her fate.
After living in exile for eight years, Bhutto had returned to Pakistan to lead her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the parliamentary and local council elections. Her return was marked by high-stakes rallies aimed at reigniting public support.
The day unfolded in Rawalpindi, where Bhutto addressed a crowd of supporters. As she concluded her speech and prepared to leave, three gunshots rang out, two of which struck her. Moments later, the assassin detonated his explosive vest, killing at least 15 people and injuring many others. Bhutto succumbed to her injuries within hours.
The investigation revealed glaring security lapses. Two police officers were charged for failing to protect Bhutto, and five Taliban militants were implicated in orchestrating the attack.
Ecuadorian Presidential Candidate Assassinated Days Before Election
Fernando Villavicencio, a prominent journalist and presidential candidate in Ecuador's 2023 election, was tragically assassinated just ten days before voters were set to head to the polls. The 59-year-old politician was shot dead during a campaign event, sending shockwaves through the nation.
In response, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency on August 11, 2023, and sought assistance from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to uncover the truth behind the killing. Ecuadorian police swiftly arrested six Colombians suspected of orchestrating the attack, while another suspect was killed by Villavicencio's bodyguards. President Lasso publicly accused organized crime groups of being behind the assassination but decided to proceed with the scheduled elections on August 20 despite heightened tensions.
Following an investigation, an Ecuadorian man who ordered Villavicencio’s murder was sentenced to over 34 years in prison. Four others involved in the killing each received 12-year sentences, bringing partial closure to a case that underscored the intersection of politics and violence in Ecuador.
Russian Presidential Candidate Mysteriously Disappears Ahead of Election
Ivan Rybkin, a key challenger in Russia’s 2004 presidential election, vanished unexpectedly just a month before the vote, sparking widespread speculation. On February 5, 2004, Rybkin, who had been preparing for the election campaign, instructed his driver and bodyguard to leave his home, while he remained behind. Hours later, his wife, Albina Rybkin, returned to find him missing and promptly filed a missing person report with the police.
Authorities were quick to respond, launching a search for the candidate. Moscow's Main Department of Internal Affairs declared him a wanted person, and on February 9, the Presnensky Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal investigation into the suspected murder of the politician. However, the case was suddenly closed without explanation.
Rumors began to circulate that Rybkin had been located in a sanatorium in Lesne Dali, though these reports were later debunked. By February 10, it was confirmed that Rybkin had resurfaced in Kiev. In a phone call to Moscow, he expressed surprise over the publicized search for him, and later returned to Moscow that evening.
On February 11, Rybkin gave a perplexing interview in which he claimed his sudden disappearance was an effort to escape surveillance. The mystery surrounding his vanishing act added a layer of intrigue to an already intense election season, leaving many to question the true circumstances behind his strange and unexplained absence.
Poland's First President Assassinated by Artist Amid Election Controversy
Gabriel Narutowicz, the first president of Poland, was tragically assassinated just five days after taking office. The assassination occurred on December 16, 1922, when Eligiusz Niewiadomski, an artist, shot the president during an exhibition at the Presidential Palace.
Narutowicz, who had assumed the presidency on December 10, was shot three times at close range while touring the exhibition. He succumbed to his injuries and died on the spot, while Niewiadomski was quickly arrested.
The assassination came amid intense controversy surrounding Narutowicz's election, which had sparked political divisions in the country. In response, the court sentenced Niewiadomski to death, and on January 31, 1923, the artist was executed by firing squad.
Assassination Attempts That Boosted Trump's Election Victory
The 2024 U.S. presidential election saw an unexpected and alarming turn of events when an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, during a voter rally on July 14, 2024, unexpectedly worked in his favor. The attack, believed by some to be part of a pre-election PR strategy, significantly boosted his public image and popularity, propelling him to an inevitable victory.
The incident unfolded with Trump speaking on stage when a gunshot rang out, causing him to react by grabbing his ear and seeking cover behind the podium. His bodyguards quickly responded, escorting him away and assisting him with an injury to his arm. The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it as an assassination attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene.
The shock didn't end there. On September 15, another assassination attempt was made on Trump near a Florida golf club by 58-year-old Ryan Routh, who was armed with an AK-47, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera. Rout was detained after attempting to flee and later admitted to planning the attack.
This wasn't the first time Trump had faced such threats. In 2016, during his campaign for the presidency, another assassination attempt was foiled when a 20-year-old man, Michael Stephen, tried to shoot Trump at an event. The man was quickly arrested, preventing further tragedy.
Despite these threats, Trump's political campaign continued to gain momentum, with the assassination attempts seeming to bolster his image in the eyes of voters, paving the way for his election victory in 2025.
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