“Such awful experiences [assasination attempts] can, paradoxically, also strengthen their political power by boosting their personality cults. Surviving an attack can seem to testify to their omnipotence and also lends credibility to the victimhood personas that many strongmen cultivate.”

“Trump’s call for “unity” following the attack also has a history —unity being understood in the strongman manner as the labeling of any criticism against the leader as dangerous and an incitement to further violence.”