Third Assassination Attempt on Trump Barely Registers in News Cycle

Experts debate whether public desensitization or media restraint is behind the muted coverage

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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On February 22, 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin breached the secure perimeter of President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort armed with a shotgun and a gas can, before being shot and killed by the Secret Service. This was the third assassination attempt on Trump in recent years, but the story received surprisingly little media attention, leading to discussions about whether the public has become desensitized to political violence or if the media is exercising restraint.

Why it matters

Assassination attempts against the president represent a fundamental threat to the political order, and the pattern of young, white, pro-Trump individuals carrying out these attacks raises concerns about online radicalization and the potential for copycat effects. Understanding the factors behind the muted coverage is important for addressing the underlying issues.

The details

Authorities say Martin breached the Mar-a-Lago perimeter on February 22 while Trump was not present. This was the third assassination attempt on Trump in recent years, following incidents in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024 and at Mar-a-Lago in 2026. Experts suggest the attackers share similarities, including being "bookish, young, white men" who were previously pro-Trump before experiencing some kind of "psychological break." They argue online radicalization and the "copycat effect" may be fueling the political violence.

  • On February 22, 2026, Austin Tucker Martin breached the Mar-a-Lago perimeter.
  • In July 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks shot President Trump in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The players

Austin Tucker Martin

A 21-year-old man who authorities say breached the secure perimeter of President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort armed with a shotgun and a gas can, before being shot and killed by the Secret Service.

Thomas Matthew Crooks

A man who shot President Trump in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024.

Christopher Rufo

A BlazeTV co-host of 'Rufo & Lomez' who has been surprised by the lack of public outrage over the latest assassination attempt on President Trump.

Jonathan Keeperman

Rufo's co-host on 'Rufo & Lomez' who suggests the "copycat effect" may be fueling the recent political violence.

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What they’re saying

“What I found so fascinating is that this story, which in any other time period in American history would be a huge national story [and] dominate headlines, seemed to pass through the news without much of a blip.”

— Christopher Rufo, BlazeTV co-host of 'Rufo & Lomez'

“Once people 'see someone doing something that is getting attention, the attention-seeking person then will just go copy that same behavior because what they actually want, what they're actually after, is that kind of attention.'”

— Jonathan Keeperman, Rufo's co-host on 'Rufo & Lomez'

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding political violence and assassination attempts, including the potential role of online radicalization, copycat effects, and public desensitization. Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing the underlying problems and preventing future attacks.