Why does political violence seem to be getting worse in America? | The Economist

TL;DR

Political violence feels more prevalent due to media amplification, though historically the 1960s–70s saw far more actual violence than today.

Key Points

• 1.A gunman attempted to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Cole Thomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California was apprehended at a security checkpoint before reaching the ballroom; the event occurred at the same Hilton Hotel as Reagan's 1981 assassination attempt.
• 2.The Secret Service faced major criticism despite acting quickly. The gunman's own manifesto reportedly mocked lax security at the venue, where entry required only flashing a ticket — though the commentator notes protecting a president in a country with ~500 million civilian-owned guns is near-impossible.
• 3.85% of Americans believe political violence is increasing, but historical data suggests otherwise. This is the third probable attempt on Trump's life; however, the 1960s–70s saw more actual assassinations and bombings — the perception of rising violence is partly driven by instant media exposure on smartphones.
• 4.The assassination attempt is unlikely to produce a lasting boost to Trump's approval ratings. Short-term upticks may occur via partisan non-response bias, but fundamentals like the unpopular Iran war and economic perceptions dominate; the commentator warns that escalating threats could force presidents into dangerous isolation from the public.