Support for Trump set to shoot up

A conspiracy theory that the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was a self-directed plot by the former US president goes beyond the realms of reality into far-out craziness.

Had the gunman - identified by the FBI as a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania - adjusted the gun a mere fraction as he reportedly fired multiple shots from a roof outside the Trump rally venue's security perimeter, the ex-president would have been hit directly in the head.

It was a narrow miss. Still, conspiracy theories abound in social media, appealing to the audiences that subscribe to such far-fetched talk.

All conspiracy theories have a common characteristic - while none can be proved, neither can they be disproved. And, no matter how insane such a theory may be, some Trump haters will no doubt continue to believe the conspiracy-plot talk.

Trump's right ear was wounded by a bullet but, tragically, one rally attendee was killed and two injured.

Secret Service agents quickly formed a human shield around the ex-president in a standard reaction learned from past deadly lessons.

Since the United States of America was formed, four US presidents have been assassinated - Abraham Lincoln in 1865, James A Garfield in 1881, William McKinley in 1901 and John F Kennedy in 1963.

Other presidents survived assassination attempts, including Ronald Reagan who was shot and wounded outside a Washington Hotel in 1981.

The blood-soaked list was extended yesterday with the attempt on Trump's life.

President Joe Biden was among the first to condemn the assassination attempt. His campaign immediately halted all election ads attacking Trump, aware that Americans would find them distasteful.

The ads could also have backfired on the Democratic Party's campaign which has already been devastated by the party's internal rift over Biden's candidacy in the wake of his disastrous performance in a recent televised debate with Trump.

It is believed that the deadly incident will also disrupt movement within the Democratic Party to replace Biden - vice-president Kamala Harris and former state secretary Hillary Clinton have been mentioned among other names touted to replace him.

Despite some fluctuations, polls have consistently placed Trump ahead of Biden in most swing states.

In Pennsylvania - a swing state where the shooting occurred - Trump was polled to be leading Biden by 51 to 44, according to Statista. In Arizona, Trump was ahead of Biden by 48 to 45.

All in all, Trump is leading Biden in five of the seven swing states, with Biden ahead in Wisconsin and Michigan.

It may be ironic but the swing states will effectively decide who will be the next US president.

The fatal shooting that cost the life of an innocent rally attendee will likely galvanize support for Trump.

Thousands of Republicans have gathered in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention - kicking off today for four days - that will formally nominate Trump for the presidential race, a major step forward to his second term.

Trump's running-mate will also be announced during the convention.