President Donald Trump has survived one assassination attempt. Sadly, he isn’t the first president to become the target of a weapon. So what would have happened if Donald had died that day in Butler, Pennsylvania? There is a specific protocol to follow — and a code word the FBI would use.
Throughout U.S. history — and around the world — several leaders have been killed by attackers. In the U.S., four presidents have been assassinated, with Abraham Lincoln being the first. He was shot at Ford’s Theatre in 1865 and later died.
James A. Garfield was shot and died in 1881, and 20 years later, William McKinley was shot during a visit to the Pan‑American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He died days afterward.
In 1963, the world was stunned when John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in Dallas.
Horrifyingly enough, Donald Trump almost became the fifth president to be assassinated. While speaking at a July 13, 2024, rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, he was shot. Fortunately, the bullet only grazed his ear, and the president survived.
What would happen if Donald Trump was assassinated while in office
If something tragic happened to Donald Trump, it would shock the entire United States. Many people are already discussing online what might occur if the unthinkable took place. A YouTube video from the channel Unsolved has simulated what the events following an assassination could look like.
The video shows Trump preparing to speak at a large rally when something horrifying happens. He is shot and killed in front of thousands of people and millions watching at home. Almost immediately, conspiracy theories spread online.
Meanwhile, his code word, “Mogul,” would likely be used by the FBI. Every president — and first lady — has a code name. According to The Washington Post, Trump chose “Mogul” from a list of options that all began with the letter “m,” provided by the Secret Service in consultation with the White House Communications Agency. The political world would plunge into chaos. The Republican Party would be in crisis. Leaders such as Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Ted Cruz might consider how to step into the enormous gap without alienating Trump’s supporters.
Specific protocol
For many supporters, Trump’s death would turn him into a symbol — a martyr. There might be protests across the country. Some armed groups might even claim they were protecting his legacy. Others would fear the unrest could surpass the 2020 protests.
There could even be calls to delay the election. But this would require both political parties to agree, which would be highly unlikely given the intense tensions.
Even if chaos erupted at first, the U.S. Constitution has clear rules for what happens next. If a president dies in office, the Vice President becomes president immediately. That means Vice President J.D. Vance would be sworn in as the new president soon after.
After that, the new president would need to choose a new vice president, who would have to be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The process is designed to ensure continuity of government even in a crisis.
Flags across the country would be lowered to half‑staff for at least 30 days as a sign of respect. There would also be a state funeral in Washington, D.C., where the public could pay their respects. World leaders might attend, and the event would be broadcast globally.
Let’s all hope this never happens.
