A Wisconsin congressional candidate faces severe consequences after posting and then deleting a campaign video showing themselves shooting at Trump-themed targets at a gun range. The Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate was immediately banned from speaking at the state party’s 8th Congressional District convention following widespread backlash.
Campaign Video Sparks Immediate Fallout
Cooper, who identifies as transgender and describes themselves as an “openly proclaimed Satanist,” posted imagery on social media depicting themselves firing weapons at targets featuring President Trump’s likeness. The video was quickly removed after fierce criticism erupted across political circles. Cooper’s campaign manager, also a trans-identified male, has not issued any statement regarding the controversial post or its removal from all platforms.
Transgender Socialist Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Deletes Gun Range Video Shooting a Target of President Trump, Posts Weird Rant Walking it Back
Awkward Walkback Attempt Falls Flat
In a damage-control TikTok video, Cooper attempted to minimize the controversy by singing Journey’s “Faithfully” before claiming not to advocate violence while simultaneously calling for Trump’s impeachment on “day one” in office. Cooper insisted there was a “big difference” between wishing for Trump’s removal and wishing violence upon him, though the original imagery suggested otherwise. The candidate maintained that wanting Trump “gone” through impeachment was justified despite the threatening optics.
Platform Reveals Radical Socialist Agenda
Cooper’s campaign website outlines a far-left agenda including universal healthcare, significantly raising the federal minimum wage, taxing mega churches, and providing “free” childcare. The platform emphasizes “human rights” and affordable housing while being supported by the Democratic Socialists of America. Neither the Secret Service nor law enforcement agencies have issued statements regarding potential investigations into the threatening video as of Sunday evening.
Party Distance Creates Primary Questions
The Wisconsin Democrat Party has not released any formal statement beyond the internal decision to bar Cooper from the weekend convention at UW-Green Bay. The 8th Congressional District remains a competitive seat in northeast Wisconsin, and Cooper is one of several candidates seeking the Democrat nomination ahead of the August primary. The incident raises questions about vetting processes and acceptable boundaries for political expression within the party’s progressive wing heading into a critical election cycle.