The most surreal and unprecedented election of my lifetime further escalated on Saturday afternoon with the assassination attempt of Donald Trump. It’s the first comparable incident involving a President or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

This was a terrible and shocking day for our country — one that could have been much worse. In the immediate aftermath, Democrats led by President Biden met the moment with the seriousness and sobriety it deserved. Biden received a briefing from his homeland security team, addressed the nation, and then called Trump. He paused his campaign and suspended his advertising. Every senior Democrat responded with an appropriate statement decrying political violence and sending their condolences to the victims, including Trump. Sure, there are random Democrats online talking about a “false flag” and other nonsense, but everyone who matters in the party was responsible and dignified.

While Trump has been pretty disciplined since the incident, the rest of the party has been ruthlessly and cynically exploiting the shooting for political purposes. Here’s how:

1. Lie to Fire Up the Base

Trump allies responded to the news immediately and dangerously. Senator J.D. Vance, Trump’s likely Vice Presidential pick, laid the blame at the feet of the Biden Campaign:

Citing a Biden quote from a recent fundraiser, Congressman Mark Collins tweeted that Biden “sent the order.” Marjorie Taylor Greene, Elon Musk, and other Trump supporters blamed Democrats, the media, the Deep State, and DEI (seriously). This all to keep the GOP base turned up to an 11, while chastising Democrats for their appropriate messaging about Trump...