Europe's far right are weaponizing the Trump assassination attempt

As the new EU Parliament meets for its first plenary session in Strasbourg, far right MEPs are taking the floor to suggest that Leftists are dangerous assassins.

I’m in Strasbourg this week for the first European Parliament plenary session of the 2024-2029 term, following the 9 June election which saw major far right gains in France and Germany. The failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump over the weekend in the United States is hanging over this parliament like a cloud, and most Europeans I’ve been speaking with are now grimly convinced that the assassination attempt makes it inevitable that Trump will return to power. Even though the limited amount we know about the lone wolf gunman at this time is that he was a Republican-registered gun enthusiast with no identified ties to the left, the MAGA base will remain convinced that the shooter was either under directive from the Democrats or inspired by them. And Europe’s far right are eagerly leaning into this narrative.