Democratic Strategist Apologizes for Controversial Trump Shooting Comments

Dmitri Mehlhorn, adviser to Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, faced backlash after suggesting that the shooting of former President Donald Trump might have been staged. Trump was shot at a rally, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. Mehlhorn has since issued a public apology.

Democratic strategist Dmitri Mehlhorn formally apologized on Sunday for suggesting that the shooting of former President Donald Trump might have been staged for political gain. Mehlhorn, who advises Democratic mega-donor and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, faced immediate backlash after his email to journalists and supporters.

Former President Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, an incident that left his face streaked with blood and resulted in one attendee's death and two others being wounded. The FBI is investigating the shooting as an assassination attempt. Both Trump and current President Joe Biden have urged national unity in the wake of the incident.

Mehlhorn, acknowledging his error, said, "Last night, I sent an email I now regret. I drafted and sent it without consulting my team. I have apologized to them directly. I also want to apologize publicly, without reservation, for allowing my words to distract from last night's central fact: political violence took yet another innocent American life."

(With inputs from agencies.)