SUMMARY

On Saturday, July 13, a gunman fired shots at Donald Trump shortly after he began speaking at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The shooting marks the first time in more than four decades that someone who has been president of the United States was wounded in an assassination attempt. Former President Donald Trump’s injuries aren’t life-threatening, but the attack in Pennsylvania could make an already divisive presidential campaign even more volatile.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Where did the shooting take place?
2. What is known about the shooter at the time of this video segment?
3. Why are some worried about the way this shooting will affect the national political climate?
4. How did Donald Trump's political campaign respond to the shooting?
5. When is the Republican National Convention?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

What do you think would be the most effective way to reduce political violence?

Media literacy: What do you think the most important aspect of this story is for journalists to uncover in the immediate aftermath?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

FOR MORE

This shooting comes in the middle of a contentious election season (note, though, that little is known of the shooters motives or politics at the time this lesson is being written). Watch the video below and discuss how you think this attack will affect the political landscape.

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