The gunman who almost killed Donald Trump may have instead secured his re-election, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said.
The former president's indelible display of courage after being shot is the kind of image that just can't be bought, Smith said.
"In my opinion, this shooter just handed Donald Trump the election,” Smith said. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been in media for 30 years. You can’t buy a better photo than what Donald Trump has at his disposal as we speak."
Associated Press photojournalist Evan Vucci captured the iconic photograph of Trump with his fist raised in the air and blood on his face, as Trump shouted "fight!" in defiance with an American flag behind him.
“Blood trickling down his ear and the right side of his face. Surrounded by Secret Service agents, raises his fist, cringing his face up, ‘Fight. Fight. Fight.’ He says it three times, and while raising his fist, surrounded by Secret Service agents, the American flag is behind him," Smith said.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you can’t buy a better photo than that if you’re a politician."
While inspiring in its own right, many say the photo heightens the contrast between Trump's strength and the weakness of his opponent, Joe Biden.
"And then listen to the pundits on TV talking about how ‘strong,’ how ‘vibrant,’ how ‘courageous.’ They were using these words. And not coincidentally, it was the antithesis of what they’ve been saying about President Biden," Smith added.
Biden's re-election bid is already on shaky ground after his debate debacle in June, with Democrats pressuring him to step aside. After the failed assassination of his opponent, many say Biden has to work even harder to stay in power.
"Donald Trump, in my opinion, secured the presidency with this,” Smith predicted. “If you are President Biden, boy do you got your work cut out for you now."
The image of Trump pumping his fist is so powerful that some want it to be suppressed.
An anonymous photo editor at a major news outlet told Axios that the press should stop circulating the photo so much, even though it's a great picture, because Trump could use it as "free PR."
“I don’t think we discussed enough about what these photos could mean," the person said.
Some on the left are even embracing conspiracy theories that the whole thing was staged.
But these images can't be faked, they can't be censored, and they sure as heck won't be forgotten.
