In a disturbing twist following the 2024 U.S. election, former President Ronald Reagan’s would-be assassin, John Hinckley Jr., has drawn unsettling attention online. Social media users on the platform X (formerly Twitter) have posted messages attempting to “recruit” Hinckley to target President-elect Donald Trump, whose victory in the recent election sparked heated responses online.
On November 5, shortly after Trump’s win was announced, Hinckley shared a link to his website, which primarily features his music endeavors. However, this post quickly became a focal point for a barrage of dark messages from users. Some users on X posted comments calling Hinckley a “hero,” suggesting he “come out of retirement,” and even offered financial support for a supposed “job” aimed at the president-elect.
The requests, though extreme, reflect a polarizing reaction to Trump’s political return. After two previous assassination attemptsduring his campaign, Trump’s team is reportedly under even stricter security. These social media messages have stirred enough concern that federal authorities, …