Famously molding the Republican Party in his populist image, Donald Trump's defining reach-the-people moment undoubtedly came with his response to the attempted assassination at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. He rose to his feet to pump his fist, prompting the crowd to break into a chant of "USA! USA!" The moment was captured in images, including iconic photos by A.P. photographer Evan Vucci that recorded blood streaming down the former president's face as the stars and stripes flew above.
It was strong stuff that likely cemented the once and, perhaps, future president's bond with voters often left cold by the old, small-government-ish GOP. The new version of the party is a very different organization, but it was changing long before the bloody day in Pennsylvania.
