In this episode of Positively Politics, Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson provides a deep dive into the history and psychology of presidential assassination attempts. The discussion is framed around a recent thwarted attempt on President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Dr. Wilson walks through presidential assassination attemps:.

• Successful Assassinations: Only four sitting U.S. presidents have been killed in office: Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy.
• Failed Attempts: Dr. Wilson highlights several notable failures, including those against Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford (who faced two attempts in one month by followers of Charles Manson), and Ronald Reagan.
• Recent Events: She discusses the specifics of the 2026 attempt by a video game developer from California, as well as a previous 2024 campaign incident involving President Trump.

The episode explores the complex reasons why individuals target high-ranking officials:

• Psychological Factors: Many perpetrators, such as Arthur Bremer and John Hinckley Jr., suffered from mental health issues or sought notoriety rather than specific political change.
• The Role of Rhetoric: Dr. Wilson expresses deep concern over the "escalating rhetoric" in modern politics. She notes that while criticizing policy is a democratic necessity, personal vitriol and hateful language—often fueled by internet anonymity—can embolden individuals toward violence.
• The Vulnerability of Service: She emphasizes the paradox of public service: officials must remain visible and accessible to the public, which inherently makes them more vulnerable to aggression.