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Thursday, July 18, 2024

Donald Trump's 2016 campaign collected data that identified would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks as a likely MAGA supporter and among those who were avid hunters and enjoyed " gun-related lifestyle indicators."

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I don't think Thomas was on Trump's 2016 campaign list, but his parents were:

Trump's 2016 presidential campaign database, obtained by Channel 4 News in 2020, lists the assailant's parents Matthew, and his wife Mary, 53, as living at a residence in the borough of Bethel Park, south of Pittsburgh.

www.channel4.com

Crooks was only 13 in 2016 (September 20, 2003--July 13, 2024) and didn't register to vote until a week after he turned 18:

A 20-year-old living in a crucial swing state, Crooks had already shown potential signs of interest in politics, making a small political donation as a teenager and registering to vote just a week after he turned 18.

www.cnn.com

#1 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-07-16 05:27 PM | Reply

Trump shooter's parents posted MAGA signs in front yard.

www.newsweek.com

#2 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-07-16 06:27 PM | Reply

Crooks was shot and killed on Saturday after opening fire on a Trump rally from atop a nearby building [...] Posted by reinheitsgebot

But can Trumpty Dumpty still count on his vote?

#3 | Posted by censored at 2024-07-16 06:41 PM | Reply

How many threads are you morons going to post about the political affiliation of this kid?

nobody cares.

Here is a reminder of the facts.....the last time a republican president or candidate for president was shot, this is what happened afterward....

1. the target survived
2. the target won the next election by a 49 state margin
3. the political affiliation of the shooter was irrelevant because.........
4. nobody cared.

#4 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-16 06:45 PM | Reply

sorry.....it was 49-1 so it was a 48 state margin.

my bad.

#5 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-16 06:52 PM | Reply

Im not convinced this isn't an entirely fabricated and scripted event

Something's not right about all this

#6 | Posted by ChiefTutMoses at 2024-07-16 08:30 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

so it was a 48 state margin

What, are you expecting a Trump repeat?

Seems unlikely.

#7 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-07-16 08:49 PM | Reply

Im not convinced this isn't an entirely fabricated and scripted event

It's your mind trying fill in the blanks of something crazy you saw that was unbelievable.

Like watching 911.

Totally normal. But what extent you let yourself fall down the rabbit hole is more of a conscious decision.

I like to speculate a little. It's human nature.

#8 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-07-16 08:54 PM | Reply

#5 | POSTED BY EBERLY

That was the last time, but that's not the trend.

Looking at past incidents, several U.S. presidential candidates have been targeted or killed during campaigns, including Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, Gerald Ford, and George Wallace. However, there is no clear pattern in how these events influenced subsequent elections. Candidates who survived assassination attempts did not always go on to win their elections, indicating that any potential "rallying effect" was not sufficient to change the overall outcome.

www.bu.edu

#9 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-16 09:19 PM | Reply

-What, are you expecting a Trump repeat?

no. My point is about entertaining the notion the political affiliation of the shooter is relevant in any way.

#10 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-16 09:38 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Political ideology could be relevant to motive. Which is what we really all want to know.

Politics might have nothing to do with the real motive, but that's not likely.

#11 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-07-16 09:45 PM | Reply

-Political ideology could be relevant to motive.

With a 20 year old high school graduate?

Do you remember John Hinkley's political ideology without looking it up?

Do you think Hinkley's ideology drove people towards or away from a candidate and/or party?

#12 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-16 09:47 PM | Reply

but that's not likely.

Not likely, but there's a non-zero chance he was just a punk kid with a gun and the schools are out for the summer.

#13 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-07-16 09:48 PM | Reply

Do you remember John Hinkley's political ideology without looking it up?

I remember that like this guy, Hinkley was a lousy shot.

#14 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-07-16 09:50 PM | Reply

a punk kid with a gun

It very well could be.

But we can still consider politics when gaging parents, upbringing, stuff like that.

I mean, given MAGA families are at the forefront of making America great, it's hard to believe such a presumably well raised kid could do something so heinous.

#15 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-07-16 09:57 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

A sniper conveniently was in position to take out the "sniper" but only after the photo op!

Who knew the government was so competent and effective?

All this is suspect with todays GOP and their antics

#16 | Posted by ChiefTutMoses at 2024-07-16 11:04 PM | Reply

There's a Scandinavian movie about this narcissistic kid that convinces a euro-MAGA (MEGA?) type kid to shoot up a political event so the narcissist could ambush and kill the MEGA kid and be the hero of the day.

Sure, Trump is capable.

But nah. The big story is the failure in security. They made a bunch of dumb mistakes.

#17 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-07-16 11:40 PM | Reply

The big story is the failure in security. They made a bunch of dumb mistakes..

The shooter reminds me of Hamas... went on a suicide mission and by chance walked right into a massive security hole.

#18 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-07-16 11:47 PM | Reply

The local PD sniper unit was, NO ----, in the exact building from which the would-be assassin fired shots from the roof.

#19 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-17 12:24 AM | Reply

The local PD sniper unit was, NO ----, in the exact building

Most of that unit is probably reassigned by now. Probably in order to cover for a higher authority.

#20 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-07-17 12:48 AM | Reply

So, Maga is saying that the shooter shot at trump because he loves him?

Cults are very confusing.

#21 | Posted by kudzu at 2024-07-17 01:53 PM | Reply

Now Trump is selling 299.00 assassination attempt sneakers. He's such an abhorrent person.

#22 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2024-07-17 01:55 PM | Reply

@#17 ... The big story is the failure in security. They made a bunch of dumb mistakes. ...

Yup.

Offense only needs to succeed once in many tries.

Defense needs to succeed 100% of the time.

The odds are against defense.

That said, I will proffer that my current opinion is that Secret Service blew it, big time.


Someone buys a ladder and climbs to a rooftop 150 (or so) yards from the fmr Pres. With a deadly weapon.

That ain't right, no matter how it is explained.

#23 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-07-18 11:13 PM | Reply

@#23 ... Someone buys a ladder ...

What Thomas Matthew Crooks did in hours leading up to attack on former President Trump
abcnews.go.com

... On the day of the assassination attempt, he asked if he could borrow his father's AR-15-style rifle, saying he planned to go to a shooting range, sources said. Because Crooks' father had previously let him use the gun for target shooting, he was not suspicious that his son was planning anything of concern.

Crooks went to a local gun shop that day, where he bought 50 rounds of 5.56 mm ammo. He also stopped at a Home Depot to buy a 5-foot ladder, though it was not found at the scene and is not believed to have been used to access the roof. ...



#24 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-07-18 11:31 PM | Reply

Aric Toler
@AricToler
I keep hearing people say that the Trump shooter had no social media, but this is just not true. He was a big PC gamer, and was on Snapchat, Instagram, Steam, and Discord, among others (like... DeviantArt). He just wasn't terribly active and social on the accounts we've found.

Or, put another way: for an introverted 20-year-old guy who spends a lot of time playing games on his computer, his online footprint (that we've observed) is not super unusual.

Well, cross Steam off the list for now, with the FBI (or whoever contributed to that Senate briefing) getting fooled by an obvious fake. That said, I'm pretty certain he did have a Steam account, just not sure what the username is.

Philip Nelson
@blu3r4d0n
do we know for a fact he was a big pc gamer... or was that dependent on the steam thing

Aric Toler
@AricToler
He was, had lots of accounts on other gaming platforms, plus there are anecdotes from classmates about it

enif
@istanidla
what games did he play out of curiosity

Aric Toler
@AricToler
Can't really tell specifically until I find his Steam handle, other than he was on Battle.net and had a Call of Duty account.

x.com

#25 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-07-19 09:03 AM | Reply

Not surprised one bit. His family didn't do anything. But the one person in the family who donated to a progressive cause decided to break the law and shoot a candidate.

Not surprised one bit.

#26 | Posted by humtake at 2024-07-19 11:37 AM | Reply

But can Trumpty Dumpty still count on his vote?

#3 | POSTED BY CENSORED
Sure. He can count on it as long as he buys it.

"I am trying to buy your vote, I'll be honest about that," he added. "And I promise we will make Wisconsin great again."

#27 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-07-19 12:11 PM | Reply

I don't think we know if his father (a libertarian) or his mother (a Democrat) donated to any candidates or causes.

#28 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-07-19 01:26 PM | Reply

HumTrig isn't surprised that the repug with an AR-15 shot at Putin's bitch.

#29 | Posted by Reinheitsgebot at 2024-07-19 01:31 PM | Reply

#4
How many threads are you morons going to post about the political affiliation of this kid?
nobody cares.

Only because he was a Republican.
If he was a Democrat that's all you guys would care about.

#30 | Posted by eightfifteenpm at 2024-07-19 02:26 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 5

1. the target survived
2. the target won the next election by a 49 state margin
3. the political affiliation of the shooter was irrelevant because.........
4. nobody cared.

#4 | Posted by eberly

Had that president also attempted a coup and corrupted the judiciary to the point they were effectively a king?

#31 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-07-19 02:55 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

-Only because he was a Republican.

Oh, if the opposite were true, would there be an attempt to hang this kid around the neck of the democratic party?

absolutely.

but nobody really cares. By nobody I mean people who aren't devoted partisans with zero chance of switching sides.

#32 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-19 03:20 PM | Reply

#26 | POSTED BY HUMTAKE

I'm surprised you finally wrote a post without mentioning "liberal" or "Democrat."

Incredibly surprised, you fnkcing hack.

#33 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-19 03:43 PM | Reply

but nobody really cares. By nobody I mean people who aren't devoted partisans with zero chance of switching sides.
#32 | POSTED BY EBERLY

EBERLY speaking for everyone again?

"Not surprised one bit."

#34 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-19 03:45 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

34

it's not like it's hard to speak for you. You're predictable.

but it was a 20 year old kid...his politics aren't going to matter on election day.

#35 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-19 03:53 PM | Reply

"How many threads are you morons going to post about the political affiliation of this kid?

nobody cares."

You mean YOU don't care.

I bet Democrats will quit reminding you that he was a registered republican when Maga Republicans stop saying "they shot our candidate!!"

THEY didn't shoot anyone. A 20 year old "lone wolf" not affiliated with the Democratic Party shot him.

And Republicans were the ones that were most likely to have radicalized him with their hateful speech and constant incitement of violence anyway.

But sure. Biden said "Bullseye". Once. "In reference to shining the spotlight on trumpy's lies.
So that's what really did it. Right?

You and I both know that had nothing to do with it as the kid probably never even heard it.

#36 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-07-19 04:04 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

36

Is your point that it all of this means it doesn't matter anyway?

Do YOU think it matters? Do you think it will matter on election day?

#37 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-19 04:11 PM | Reply

It matters because it shows how hypocritical the Right is.

Imagine Democrats had stormed the Capitol, armed and violent. The Right would be outraged to this day. No one would be talking about pardons.
If Republicans do it, it's no big deal.

Imagine a Democrat had been the Trump shooter. We would never hear the end of it.
If a Republican does, suddenly no one cares.
Instead they somehow try to twist it and still blame the Democrats.

#38 | Posted by eightfifteenpm at 2024-07-19 04:25 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 5

Re #37

My point is you are an idiot.

Sorry you missed the point.

You said "nobody cares"

But some people (not you apparently) obviously do care.

Republicans cared. Did you not just listen to them go on and on about it for three days and try to pin it on democrats at the RNC? I lost count of how many times they said, "THEY shot our candidate!"

Will it matter on Election Day four months from now?

Thats an entirely different question.

#39 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-07-19 04:27 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Offense only needs to succeed once in many tries.

Defense needs to succeed 100% of the time.

The odds are against defense.

Which is exactly what happened in Tel Aviv earlier today in a drone attack over there.

#40 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-07-19 04:34 PM | Reply

#35 | POSTED BY EBERLY

You certainly don't speak for me here. Your predictions are ----.

Swallow it.

#41 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-19 04:38 PM | Reply

Oh...the drama from you guys......let me help you all out.

38

The hypocrisy from the right is just that. I don't disagree with anything you typed....but it won't matter on election day.

39

I defined "nobody" little fella. It excludes people like you who are 100% committed to how you're going to vote.

The others? the same people who usually wind up deciding presidential election outcomes? They don't care about the ideology assigned to this kid.

"Republicans cared" right...and it doesn't matter anyway.

41

poor thing. I'll put whatever words I want in your mouth...whenever I want.

#42 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-19 04:43 PM | Reply

it was a 48 state margin

That's crazy. He only won his home state.


What, are you expecting a Trump repeat?
Seems unlikely.
#7 | POSTED BY HORSTNGRABEN

If I was a betting man. With both democrats and republicans trashing Biden.

I'm guessing Biden will win the majority of the New England states, New York, Delaware, Minnesota, Colorado and the west coast.

The rest of the country will go to Trump.

Also. I'm not certain democrats can win the popular vote this time.

#43 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-07-19 04:50 PM | Reply

Maybe women will turn out in bigger numbers.

They better if they want any rights in the future.

#44 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-07-19 04:52 PM | Reply

44

Women were supposed to be the difference for Biden this time.

I would hope the democrats do an effective job of reminding voters of this during their convention.

That issue didn't go anywhere. Trump can't remove it. If it's all about the party platform then okay....but it appears a significant # of voters worry about the man...not the party.

#45 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-19 04:56 PM | Reply

The typical right winger is far stupider, violent, substance addicted, and mentally ill than the typical liberal. Fact. Deal with it MAGATs.

#46 | Posted by moder8 at 2024-07-19 05:21 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

I'll put whatever words I want in your mouth...whenever I want.
#42 | POSTED BY EBERLY

And that's why you're a perfect poster child for why we need a license to use the internet.

Swallow it.

#47 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-20 12:04 AM | Reply

The typical right winger is far stupider, violent, substance addicted, and mentally ill than the typical liberal. Fact. Deal with it MAGATs.
#46 | POSTED BY MODER8

A little early to be on the sauce, isn't it counselor?

Regardless, I second the motion.

#48 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-20 12:07 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

-And that's why you're a perfect poster child for why we need a license to use the internet.

because I'm allowed slap you around at will?

I don't spread dangerous information, threaten people, traffic any kind illegal product or service.

And despite that....you want to kick me off the internet.

Because you're being picked on by me.

JFC you are 100% -----.

swallow that.

#49 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-20 11:25 AM | Reply

The typical right winger is far stupider, violent, substance addicted, and mentally ill than the typical liberal. Fact. Deal with it MAGATs.

It's obvious YOU are who needs to deal with it.

I don't disagree with you.....but why are you whining about it? Because you're struggling to accept it.

My retort to the above? Welcome to America.

#50 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-20 11:27 AM | Reply

I think his weapon of choice is indicative of hiis politics. Democrats don't buy weapons of war because we don't think likeMAGA insurrectionists who think invading the Capital al was an act of patriotism.

#51 | Posted by danni at 2024-07-20 02:04 PM | Reply

Moderator's post above is the dirty little secret Republicans know is true because that is the base they have depended on sune the Southern Strategy was developed to help Nixon by harnessing hate and whie resentment after Democrats passed the civil Rights bll in 1966, if you don't understand that then you don't understand the basics of American politics.

#52 | Posted by danni at 2024-07-20 02:15 PM | Reply

If you don't know race; previously slavery then you either don't understand American history or you are intentionally trying to musrepresent it as Ron Desantis does.

#53 | Posted by danni at 2024-07-20 02:19 PM | Reply

Would that Republican psycho have had an assailt rifle if Bill Clinton's Assault Weapons ban was still in place? Would most of the psychos who committed the worst school mass murders have had yheir Republican wealons of choice? Sorry but you can't oppose every attempt to cotrol gun ownership without taking some responsibility for the deaths caused by psychos with AR style weapons. The GQP has stood by those who profit off of gun sales to psychos, they can't honestly evade responsibility and it is about time Americans stop listening to their lies, including Donald Trump. If a politician kisses the ass of the NRA he should not deny his own part in enabling the psycho who uses one of those weapons againar a politician.
Just ask youraelf how many mass shooters used weapons ouawed by the Assault Weapons ban? I don't think most Republicans have the honesty it woild take to ask rhemselves rhat question.

#54 | Posted by danni at 2024-07-20 03:14 PM | Reply

Women were supposed to be the difference for Biden this time.

They could have been, if Biden were capable of inspiring them to come out and vote for him. Instead he's letting his dementia and ego spoil what should have been a slam dunk.

When is the last time Biden gave an impassioned, unscripted statement about the horrifying consequences of Dobbs? This is "bare minimum" candidate stuff snd this guy is literally holed up at his beach house and has been MIA this entire campaign. Absolutely unforgivable.

#55 | Posted by JOE at 2024-07-20 09:16 PM | Reply

because I'm allowed slap you around at will?
#49 | POSTED BY EBERLY

Is that what you think you're doing, big guy? Awwww how adorable!!!

I'm no more predictable than you are, fancy pants.

Now step down off your high horse and swallow the crucial context.

Time for you to put your big boy pants on.

#56 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-20 09:56 PM | Reply

When is the last time Biden gave an impassioned, unscripted statement about the horrifying consequences of Dobbs? This is "bare minimum" candidate stuff snd this guy is literally holed up at his beach house and has been MIA this entire campaign. Absolutely unforgivable.
#55 | POSTED BY JOE

You really think Kamala is going to be the successful pivot?

#57 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-07-20 09:58 PM | Reply

ER. JOE ... what would you recommend that a man diagnosed with COVID should be doung ? I he was out campaigning you would be loudly criticizing him for it. I know ... . Detailsdetails, inconvenient aren'f they? Do no'f yoh just hate that?

#58 | Posted by danni at 2024-07-21 09:37 AM | Reply

If Kamala ends yp as our candidate Joe Biden will support her and Trump's defeat by a bmack woman will be so sweet!

#59 | Posted by danni at 2024-07-21 09:43 AM | Reply

#58 I'm not convinced he even has Covid; it's awfully convenient way for him to remain out of the public eye and continue running out the clock until the convention.

Regardless, any respectable person would have resigned from the campaign the day after the debate. The Covid thing doesn't even matter at this point. He is stealing campaign time from whoever his successor would be if he could get over his ego, and putting the future of this country at grave risk.

#60 | Posted by JOE at 2024-07-21 09:44 AM | Reply

-Now step down off your high horse and swallow the crucial context.

You just keep doing the only thing you're intellectually capable of which it to troll from thread to thread typing "swallow it" regardless of the subject.

You're a puppy following the big dogs.

#61 | Posted by eberly at 2024-07-21 09:47 AM | Reply

If Kamala ends yp as our candidate Joe Biden will support her and Trump's defeat by a bmack woman will be so sweet!

Kamala could have been campaigning for over three weeks by now if Biden wasn't so resigned to harming America. His eventual "support" (if it ever comes) will ring hollow because he has already stolen insanely valuable campaign time from her.

What happens if he runs out the clock, gets the nomination and has another public senior moment, or worse? The election will be 100% toast. Why are we taking this risk?

#62 | Posted by JOE at 2024-07-21 09:47 AM | Reply

Kamala has been campaigning for the past three weeks. Not as the Democratic nominee, no, but she has been campaigning as she has been for months.

#63 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-07-21 09:59 AM | Reply

#63 Not on her own behalf. She's campaigning for a ticket that is doomed for failure. Imagine if she chose a charismatic midwestern VP to revitalize the campaign; two coherent people spreading their message across the country. She can't do that, because Biden is sad. I guess we have to wander into fascism instead.

#64 | Posted by JOE at 2024-07-21 01:35 PM | Reply

#63 Not on her own behalf. She's campaigning for a ticket that is doomed for failure. Imagine if she chose a charismatic midwestern VP to revitalize the campaign; two coherent people spreading their message across the country. She can't do that, because Biden is sad. I guess we have to wander into fascism instead.
#64 | POSTED BY JOE

I agree she needs to pick a terrific VP from a red or swing state.

#65 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2024-07-21 03:13 PM | Reply

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