Dmitri Mehlhorn, adviser to Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, regrets his controversial comments regarding the shooting of Donald Trump.
Dmitri Mehlhorn, a Democratic strategist and adviser to billionaire Reid Hoffman, issued an apology on July 14, 2024, after suggesting that the shooting of former President Donald Trump could have been staged. Mehlhorn’s comments, made in an email to journalists and supporters, raised the possibility that the attack might have been orchestrated to generate media coverage and sympathy for Trump.
The shooting, which occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, left Trump with a bloodied face after being hit in the ear. A bystander was killed, and two others were wounded in the attack, which the FBI is investigating as an assassination attempt.
The incident quickly sparked conspiracy theories online, with some claiming the shooting was part of a “deep state” plot, while others speculated it was staged. Mehlhorn later expressed regret, acknowledging that his words had diverted attention from the tragedy of political violence and the loss of life. He stated, “We must unite in condemnation of such violence in every instance,” emphasizing the importance of collective action to address political violence.
Mehlhorn also apologized to his team and the public for his unconsulted remarks, underlining that his comments were inappropriate and did not reflect the gravity of the situation.
