Surviving an assassination, much like bouncing back from a breakup, can be turned to one's advantage. Ronald Reagan did so with wit after being shot, which boosted his political standing. Donald Trump channels a modern, meme-worthy version of this, turning near-death experiences into powerful narratives. Surviving such attempts transforms individuals into paradoxical heroes—underdogs who cheat death. Historically, this phenomenon has deep roots, dating back to the "hashshashin" of the 11th-13th centuries. Trump’s reaction follows a time-honored tradition of leveraging survival for political and social gain.
