Assassination Attempt on Trump and Biden: A PR Reset for Both Candidates

Former President Trump and President Biden are both changing their communication strategies in the wake of the recent assassination attempt on Trump. This event has served as an inflection point for both campaigns, prompting them to rethink how they appeal to voters through new messaging and softer rhetoric.

Biden’s team has been working to change the narrative that he is unfit for office by scheduling more TV interviews, press conferences, and public events. In response to the shooting at the Trump rally, Biden has addressed the nation multiple times and called for a lowering of the political temperature.

On the other hand, Trump has shown a more subdued demeanor since the shooting and plans to tone down his “Trumpiness.” However, the challenge remains for other GOP leaders and supporters to stay on message.

According to media monitoring platform Memo, Biden’s message of unity is breaking through in larger numbers via traditional media compared to Trump’s response to the attempted assassination. Trump’s public response has been read by 4.7 million readers, while Biden’s response has reached over 15 million readers.

The advantage still goes to Trump, according to Narrative Strategies CEO Ken Spain, who believes Trump has emerged with a greater image of strength after surviving the assassination attempt. However, Biden has successfully projected strength in the face of crisis, but the window of opportunity is closing.

Both candidates will need to show that they are the uniting force they claim to be, and their handling of this moment could reinvigorate their campaigns and stifle critics. Trump is set to give a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday.

In conclusion, consistency and action are key for effective communication in this critical moment for both campaigns.