On July 13, 2024, former U.S. president Donald Trump, the Republican Party's presumptive nominee in the 2024 presidential election, was shot in the upper part of his right ear at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, challenging the democratic rights of the country.
Over the past six decades, both Europe and the United States have witnessed numerous attacks on head of states, driven by various ideological, political, and personal motives. Understanding these trends is crucial for enhancing security measures and maintaining democratic integrity. Scavenger AI conducted an analysis to find out how many head of states (presidents / prime ministers) have faced attempted assassinations.

Europe

Political violence has been influenced by separatist movements and ideological extremism. Notable incidents include the assassination of Spanish Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco in 1973, UK MP Jo Cox in 2016 or the attempted assassination of the prime minister of Slovakia Robert Fico. The chart below shows a sharp increase of total numbers in the 1990s and the 2000s with a drop in the 2010s and an increase again in the 2020s.

USA

High-profile incidents include the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, and the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. More recently, the 2020s have seen increasing threats, including the attempted kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, the Capitol riot in 2021, and the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13, 2024.To allow for a comparison, Scavenger AI has only collected data on assassinations / attempts on presidents.With a high in the 1960s and 1970s, the current number(s) are on the same level as during the last centuries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the absolute number of assassinations and attempts on heads of state is higher in Europe compared to the United States, it is crucial to consider the significantly larger number of heads of state in Europe. With numerous presidents and prime ministers across various nations, the higher figures are a reflection of this diversity rather than an indication of increased danger. Furthermore, when examining the data specifically related to these incidents, there is no clear evidence to support a rise in such occurrences. Therefore, the perceived disparity must be viewed in the context of the differing political structures and not as a trend of escalating threats.