Donald Trump was millimeters away from losing his life. On Saturday, the bullet of a would-be assassin grazed his right ear at a rally for his 2024 presidential campaign in Pennsylvania, after which even his political opponents, including President Joe Biden, have expressed their shock and disgust at the incident. One brave rally-goer lost his life in the attempt at Trump, reportedly having jumped in front of his family to protect them from the bullets.

But, in a country of over 330 million, one doesn’t have to look far to find an opposite reaction to the one expressed by America’s political leaders. However, the sporting world is doing its part, in trying to ratchet down the divisive discourse that has emerged since the incident, as broadcaster and former American soccer and MLS star Taylor Twellman.

Taylor Twellman outraged at Donald Trump assassination conspiracy theories

Social media, at its worst, is a cesspool of the worst opinions and takes that humanity has to offer. At its best, however, it is a force for positivity that can inform and educate people. An interaction between an X user (formerly known as Twitter) and Taylor Twellman perfectly encapsulates this duality.

After the near-successful assassination attempt, conspiracy theories have abounded from both sides of the political aisle. An X user, with a lack of evidence or proof, piped up with a hot-take. “I know a Vince McMahon production when I see one”. Vince McMahon, of course, is the former CEO of the WWE, well-known for its over-the-top storylines and set pieces. By invoking McMahon, the X user was implying the assassination attempt staged by Donald Trump and his team, probably for electoral gains.

Notably, Twellman was so incensed by this cavalier take from the troll that he quoted and replied to the tweet, expressing his outrage. The former soccer player advised the troller to have some empathy and respect, at least for the unfortunate rally-goer who perished, calling the assassination attempt a ‘stain’ on America.

“Someone died!!! Like maybe have some respect before tweeting this kind of stuff, especially when it’s absurd and sad that a former president was SHOT at during a rally. Such a stain on our country,” he wrote.

Many find claims that the former president staged this assassination attempt almost ludicrous, since Donald Trump, as we have mentioned, was a hair’s breadth from being shot in the head. A set-up, many point out, would certainly not be staged in a way the person staging it nearly passes, save for a miracle, as happened with Trump. And these conspiracy theories have been further punctured by the FBI’s revelations.

FBI confirms shooting was a legitimate assassination attempt on ex-POTUS

The FBI has officially termed the attempt on Donald Trump’s life an assassination attempt and is investigating the case as such, FBI officials have confirmed. According to the federal agency, the shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a nursing home kitchen worker from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

While the motivations of Crooks, who was shot dead by the Secret Service on the scene, remain unclear, the investigation is underway and is expected to shed more light on it. Reports suggest while he was a registered Republican, he had also contributed $15 to Joe Biden’s Presidential campaign back in 2020.

This shooting, of course, has led to outrage at the incident and support for Donald Trump, especially from the NFL and the UFC-verse, where the former President is very popular. And soccer, it seems, is not far behind as Twellman’s befitting reply to the troll shows.