To have grudging respect for how Trump styled it out

"The Wisdom of Psychopaths" is a great book and makes exactly this point. There's a reason lots of politicians are psychopaths - essentially other people are just a game, but that can be helpful in a crisis

It just grazed him. I'm sure it was sore, but not really (I assume) like being 'properly' shot. And afaik, when you're in shock, the pain is staved off for a little while.

He would have been in great pain wouldn't have known in the moment it was just his ear.

I remember when Reagan was shot the white house playing it down. When he actually did have surgery and it was serious.

His standing defiantly for a moment probably eased the trigger happy crowd and kept the peace

I think it's a complete inability to control himself. Ever. I don't think it's a good look.

Agree op. I'm not a fan of Trump at all but I felt a real involuntary hair up on back of neck grudging "christ what a guy" type feeling when I saw his reaction, which was very likely adrenaline fuelled tbf.

Hard to explain without sounding like I like the guy. I honestly don't!

By refusing to leave the stage, with the secret service agents trying to protect him, he put them in danger (whilst he was safe)

All for a photo op.

Talk about the Devil protects his own.

I think that moment will win him the election unfortunately.

The photos are quite misleading and show a very short snapshot.

The actual footage shows him, understandably, absolutely shitting himself and barely able to walk.

Unfortunately the only thing people will remember is the now iconic photo.

Eeesh, I admire his reaction and I'm not even a dude

No; in actual fact he was the only president in like 50 years not to embroil the US in a new foreign war / 'lets bomb brown people' spree.

Seriously who was the last president before Trump not to start a new foreign war? I'm thinking it might even have been pre-Truman? (Genuine Q btw!)

I am flattered to have made such an impression on you. Thank you for your readership, enjoy your day!

Just total arrogance - the man thinks he is the Messiah or something, such an inflated ego.

How anyone missed that massive head is beyond me....

I suspect he's admired by the male population, more so now.

Some friends and I were discussing this yesterday. There is nothing about the man I admire at all. But it’s almost undeniable that he reacted to the attempt on his life with a very robust sort of aplomb. It is likely that the character traits that make him so awful a human in most regards played out well over this event; his arrogance, dominance, aggression, impulsivity, exhibitionism all combined to make his instinctive reaction to a life threatening emergency so pugnacious.

Well given what's just happened, and January 6, I would question that take on it tbh. I think that's exactly what's happening. 'falling apart' might be somewhat dramatic, but he has certainly emboldened and encouraged some quite extreme views and behaviours.

BUT society didn't fall apart in his first term did it?

It's encouraging the kind of lawlessness that led to Jan 6. That's the problem with Trump, he doesn't think the rules apply to him and that attitude trickles down to his supporters. Which does not bode well for society as a whole. The idea of the social contract is abandoned. It's really not good in any way shape or form imo

To give the devil his due I'm inclined to agree with the OP.

Amusing to see posters strainng to dismiss his sturdy reaction to nearly getting his brains blown out. Especially as so many Mumsnetters go into full panic mode merely because someone's knocked at the door or a workman wants to use their lavatory.

Precisely it is critical thinkers who can tell things apart.

The electoral race is between Biden and Trump. Obama is long gone and can’t come back so compare all you want but irrelevant to November elections. Mind you Obama seems to be pulling strings from behind the scenes and people know it. Glad some are aware he is not saint though.

I kind of feel like not following the instructions from the secret service immediately isn’t an admirable quality. I’m sure it will play out well in the media though

I think it was incredibly selfish. All those staff risking their lives trying to cover him, and he's waving his arms and head about!

For some reason OP there are people we are pressurised to hate - Trump is one. He’s no worse then Obama in terms of foreign policy etc - in fact Obama started more wars. I’d rather go for dinner with Obama but that’s not really the most important thing in a President of the USA.

I couldn't disagree with you more.

He learnt nothing from The Capitol events; he was shouting "fight, fight" after it happened. A stupid response to a bunch of angry, scared Americans.

You can also lipread him saying to his guards to wait so he can say it to his crowds.

Not only that, he didn't follow any training he has had and was a total liability - sticking his head up above the guards desperately trying to do their job.

I'm rather tickled by it yes!

God yes.

Whatever way you look at it, getting shot in the side of the head (he wouldn't have known it was just his ear in that moment) and then jumping up to fistpump and reassure the crowd is a giga-chad move of the highest order.

The crowd were pretty damn brave too, I'd've thought they'd all be rushing for the exit but they were trying to help each other and spot the shooter.

If I was a Democrat campaign manager tbh I'd just sit back now, put my feet up and roll a fat one. Get some cold beers on ice....it's over, so I would just chill out.