CBS is under fire for airing a segment about the January 6 insurrection shortly after an alarming incident involving former President Donald Trump, where gunshots were reportedly fired near his Florida golf course.
On Sunday, the FBI initiated an investigation into what appears to be an assassination attempt against Trump. Secret Service agents found a rifle barrel sticking out from some bushes around the course at about 1:30 p.m. ET. They quickly responded to the situation involving a suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, who later fled but was apprehended. Thankfully, Trump was unharmed.
Later that evening, CBS ran a 13-minute segment discussing the January 6 events, prompting backlash from several notable Republicans.
Political analyst Steve Cortes expressed his discontent on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Just hours after another assassination attempt on President Trump, CBS uses @60Minutes to label him a ‘threat to democracy’ regarding January 6. The corporate media can’t be that detached.” His sentiment was echoed by Trump Jr., who questioned, “WTF is wrong with you people?”
Supporters of Trump chimed in as well, with one user saying, “CBS delivered dangerous rhetoric and a 60-minute infomercial for Kamala at no cost. Do they need to declare that as a campaign donation?” Another commenter added, “It’s sickening. When will Democrats wake up and see they’re on the wrong side?”
Conversely, some users offered alternative perspectives. One remarked, “There was no assassination attempt; someone merely had a gun half a mile from Trump. Why do Second Amendment advocates react so badly to that?” Another commented, “This is the rhetoric that could instigate such assassination attempts.”
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Following the incident, Trump reassured his supporters in a campaign statement, saying, “I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will deter me. I will NEVER surrender! Your support means the world to me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again.”
President Joe Biden also addressed the situation, asserting that there is “no place for political violence” and emphasized that his administration would ensure the Secret Service has all necessary resources for Trump’s protection.
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed this sentiment on X, stating, “Violence has no place in America.”
This shooting incident comes just two months after Trump was grazed by a bullet during an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where the assailant was subsequently shot and killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.