Donald Trump has compared himself to Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy after an alleged shooter, dubbed in his reported-manifesto as the “friendly federal assassin”, charged a security point armed with guns and knives.

For a moment, the White House Correspondents dinner continued, the US President and his guests unaware until the secret service pulled him from the stage, forming a human shield.

This marks the third alleged assassination attempt on Trump in two years, as political violence targeting both sides of the aisle grows to unprecedented levels.

Today, Sydney Morning Herald columnist and former assistant managing editor of NPR in Washington Bill Wyman discusses America’s surge in political violence and Trump’s role as both target and provocateur.

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Guest: SMH columnist Bill Wyman