‘A Prop, A Spectacle’: MSNBC Anchor Suggests Bandage On Trump’s Bullet Wound Is Political

MSNBC anchor Ari Melber referred to the bandage on former President Donald Trump’s ear as a “prop” and a “spectacle,” suggesting that Trump was using his injury to stir outrage in his base.

Melber was reacting to Trump’s appearance on Monday at the Republican National Convention (RNC), just two days after a would-be assassin opened fire at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. As Lee Greenwood gave a live performance of “God Bless the USA,” the former president walked onto the convention floor to cheers and chants of “USA!” and “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

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MSNBC’s Ari Melber on Trump’s bandaged ear: “a prop…a spectacle for this candidate who we know is…obsessed with assorted spectacles…to mine and use Donald Trump’s injury, and whether [they] do that in a way that overextends their credibility will be decided by the voters.” pic.twitter.com/PEMXKBwOQK

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“This was also showmanship by a politician known for his mastery of what they call ‘unscripted reality TV,'” Melber said of Trump’s entrance. “Taking this supremely visible seat in the VIP box with his new running mate and party leaders and a longtime TV personality Tucker Carlson as well last night.”

Melber went on to quote The New York Times as saying that Trump had been his own “biggest prop” on the first night of the convention, making a grand entrance just over 48 hours after he’d been shot: “It was a blank rectangle on which the crowd could read what it wished.”

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“That’s fair,” Melber agreed, adding, “A placard for delegates to fill in, an image for political mobilization, a spectacle for this candidate who we know is, by his own admission, obsessed with assorted spectacles.”

“These aren’t normal times. This is not a normal convention,” he continued. “There is a political quest here to mine and use Donald Trump’s injury, and whether [they] do that in a way that overextends their credibility will be decided by the voters.”

In addition to hitting the former president in the right ear, the shooter who opened fire on Trump’s rally killed firefighter Corey Comperatore and wounded at least two others.