NPR News: 07-18-2024 3PM EDT
Digest
This episode of Wild Card begins with a discussion about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The episode explores the reactions of various individuals and groups, including the FBI's investigation, the GOP's use of religious language to describe the event, and the concerns of some people of faith about this language. The episode also covers the upcoming trial of a U.S. journalist in Russia, Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested last year during a reporting trip. The Russian government has accused him of gathering secret information for the United States, but no evidence has been presented to support this claim.
Outlines
Introduction and Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
This Chapter introduces the episode and discusses the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. It highlights the FBI's investigation into the shooter's electronic devices and the shooter's interest in President Biden, former President Trump, Attorney General Garland, and FBI Director Ray. The chapter also mentions the shooter's searches for information on major depressive disorder.
GOP and Evangelical Leaders' Use of Religious Language
This Chapter focuses on the GOP and Evangelical leaders' use of religious language to describe the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. It explores the concerns of some people of faith about this language, particularly the claim that God intervened to prevent Trump's death. The chapter discusses the concept of Christian nationalism and its implications.
Trial of U.S. Journalist in Russia
This Chapter covers the upcoming trial of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia. It details the Russian government's accusations against Gershkovich, claiming he was gathering secret information for the United States, and the lack of evidence to support these claims.
Keywords
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He was born and raised in the New York City borough of Queens and received an economics degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Trump took charge of his family's real-estate business in 1971, renamed it The Trump Organization, and expanded its operations from Queens and Brooklyn into Manhattan. The company built or renovated skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump later started various side ventures, mostly by licensing his name. Trump and his businesses have been involved in more than 4,000 state and federal legal actions, including six bankruptcies. Trump entered the 2016 presidential race as a Republican and defeated 16 other candidates in the primaries. His political positions have been described as populist, protectionist, isolationist, and nationalist. He has been criticized for his views on immigration, trade, and foreign policy. Trump won the general election against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, but lost the popular vote. He was inaugurated as the 45th president on January 20, 2017. Trump's presidency was marked by controversy, including his policies on immigration, healthcare, and the environment. He was impeached by the House of Representatives in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but was acquitted by the Senate. Trump was also impeached in 2021 for inciting the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, but was again acquitted by the Senate. Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to Democratic nominee Joe Biden. He has continued to make false claims about the election being stolen from him and has hinted at a possible run for president in 2024.
Assassination Attempt
An assassination attempt is an act of violence intended to kill a person, usually a high-profile individual such as a political leader, celebrity, or business executive. Assassination attempts can be carried out by individuals, groups, or governments. They are often motivated by political, religious, or personal reasons. Assassination attempts can be successful or unsuccessful. Successful assassination attempts result in the death of the target, while unsuccessful attempts fail to kill the target. Assassination attempts can have a significant impact on society, as they can lead to political instability, fear, and violence.
GOP
GOP is an abbreviation for the Grand Old Party, which is the common name for the Republican Party in the United States. The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists who opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The party's platform is generally based on American conservatism, which emphasizes individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and a strong national defense. The Republican Party has controlled the presidency for 28 of the last 40 years, and has held a majority in the House of Representatives for 20 of the last 24 years. The party's current platform includes support for tax cuts, deregulation, school choice, and a strong military. The Republican Party is often seen as the party of business, while the Democratic Party is often seen as the party of labor. However, there is a great deal of diversity within both parties, and many Republicans and Democrats hold views that are not consistent with the party's general platform.
Evangelical Leaders
Evangelical leaders are individuals who hold positions of authority within evangelical Christian denominations or organizations. They are often pastors, preachers, theologians, or other religious figures who have a significant influence on the evangelical community. Evangelical leaders are known for their strong beliefs in the Bible, their emphasis on personal conversion, and their commitment to spreading the Christian faith. They often play a prominent role in political and social issues, advocating for conservative values and policies. Some evangelical leaders are highly influential figures who have a large following and a significant impact on public discourse. Others are more localized leaders who focus on their own congregations or communities. Evangelical leaders are a diverse group with a wide range of views and perspectives. However, they are united by their shared commitment to the evangelical Christian faith.
Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to establish a Christian nation, often based on the belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed by Christian principles. Christian nationalists often advocate for policies that promote Christian values, such as opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and secularism. They may also support the use of government power to enforce these values. Christian nationalism is a controversial ideology that has been criticized for its potential to promote religious intolerance and discrimination. Critics argue that it is incompatible with the principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state. Christian nationalism has been on the rise in recent years, particularly among conservative Christians in the United States. It has been linked to the rise of white nationalism and other forms of extremism.
Evan Gershkovich
Evan Gershkovich is an American journalist who works for The Wall Street Journal. He was arrested in Russia in March 2023 while on a reporting trip. The Russian government has accused him of espionage, claiming that he was gathering secret information for the United States. However, no evidence has been presented to support these claims. Gershkovich's arrest has been widely condemned by the international community, with many calling for his immediate release. The U.S. government has classified Gershkovich as wrongfully detained and has been working to secure his release. Gershkovich's case is a reminder of the dangers faced by journalists who report on sensitive topics in authoritarian countries. It also highlights the importance of press freedom and the right to a fair trial.
Q&A
What was the nature of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump?
The episode does not provide specific details about the assassination attempt, but it mentions that the FBI is investigating the shooter's electronic devices and that the shooter had saved images of President Biden, former President Trump, Attorney General Garland, and FBI Director Ray. It also mentions that the shooter had conducted searches for information on major depressive disorder.
How did GOP and Evangelical leaders respond to the assassination attempt?
GOP and Evangelical leaders used religious language to describe the assassination attempt, claiming that God intervened to prevent Trump's death. Some people of faith expressed concern about this language, arguing that it conflates religious and political authority and promotes Christian nationalism.
What is the current status of the trial of Evan Gershkovich?
The episode states that closing arguments in the trial of Evan Gershkovich are set to begin in Moscow on Friday. The Russian government has accused him of espionage, but no evidence has been presented to support these claims.
Show Notes
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