A Wisconsin congressional candidate faces severe consequences after posting and then deleting a video showing himself shooting at targets bearing President Trump’s image, sparking immediate backlash from the Democratic Party establishment and raising questions about political violence in campaign messaging.
Democrat Party Imposes Swift Ban
Cooper, a self-described transgender socialist seeking the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, was immediately banned from speaking at the Democrat Party’s 8th Congressional District convention this weekend at UW-Green Bay. The decision came after Cooper’s campaign posted imagery showing him firing at Trump-themed targets at a gun range. The controversial video was quickly deleted following widespread criticism, but not before triggering serious political fallout for his campaign.
Transgender Socialist Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Deletes Gun Range Video Shooting a Target of President Trump, Posts Weird Rant Walking it Back
Bizarre Damage Control Attempt
In a TikTok video attempting to walk back the controversy, Cooper began by singing Journey’s “Faithfully” before addressing the incident. He claimed he does not advocate violence while simultaneously calling for Trump’s impeachment on day one in office. Cooper insisted there was a difference between wishing someone gone politically versus wishing violence upon them, stating he wants Trump removed through impeachment rather than other means. Despite his denials, the imagery of shooting Trump targets drew immediate comparisons to political violence rhetoric that has increasingly concerned security officials.
Campaign Platform and Background
Cooper describes himself as an openly proclaimed Satanist and runs his campaign with a manager who is also a trans-identified male. The Democratic Socialists of America backs his candidacy. His campaign website prioritizes universal healthcare, raising the federal minimum wage, affordable housing, taxing mega churches, and free childcare. As of Sunday, neither law enforcement nor the Secret Service had issued statements about the threatening video. The Democrat Party of Wisconsin released no formal press statement beyond their internal decision to bar Cooper from the convention.
Implications for 8th District Race
Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District remains a competitive seat in northeast Wisconsin. Cooper is one of several candidates seeking the Democrat nomination ahead of the August primary. The incident raises serious questions about campaign messaging standards and political violence rhetoric as the election season intensifies. The absence of law enforcement response or Secret Service investigation as of Sunday has drawn additional scrutiny, particularly given the heightened security concerns surrounding presidential protection. Cooper’s exclusion from the party convention signals Democrats’ concern about association with inflammatory campaign tactics that could damage their broader electoral prospects in this swing district.
