Fight Fight Fight at Butler

2024

Date: 13 July 2024 · Place: Butler Farm Show grounds, Butler, Pennsylvania · Figures: Donald Trump, candidate · Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old shooter · Corey Comperatore, fire chief killed in the crowd · Evan Vucci, AP photographer · Tags: US Politics, Assassination Attempt, Iconography 01. The Photo At a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on 13 July 2024 a 20-year-old gunman fires from a nearby rooftop. A bullet grazes Donald Trump's right ear. One rallygoer, fire chief Corey Comperatore, is killed. Two others are critically wounded. Trump drops behind the lectern, then stands, raises his fist, and mouths the word fight three times as Secret Service surround him. AP photographer Evan Vucci captures the moment with a perfectly composed image: bloodied ear, raised fist, American flag behind. The picture becomes one of the most reproduced political photographs of the century within twenty-four hours. 02. Meme As Campaign The Trump campaign converts the photo into merchandise within the week. The Republican National Convention opens two days later. Trump enters with a bandaged ear. The Fight Fight Fight chant becomes the closing slogan of his successful campaign. The line between live-event horror and political meme dissolves entirely. Sources • AP News, 'Trump injured but safe after shooting at rally' (13 July 2024) • The New York Times, 'How a Photo Captured a Defining Moment' (14 July 2024) • Reuters, 'Pennsylvania rally shooting timeline' (14 July 2024)