A Wisconsin congressional candidate was barred from speaking at the Democrat Party’s 8th District convention after posting a gun range video showing Trump-themed targets—sparking controversy and raising questions about political rhetoric crossing dangerous lines.
Democrats Ban Candidate From Convention
Cooper, a self-described transgender socialist running for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, faced immediate backlash after campaign footage surfaced showing shooting practice at Trump-themed targets. The Wisconsin Democrat Party swiftly banned Cooper from speaking at their weekend convention at UW-Green Bay. The Democratic Socialists of America backs Cooper’s campaign, which features a transgender campaign manager and promotes universal healthcare, raising the federal minimum wage, and taxing mega churches as core priorities.
Transgender Socialist Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Deletes Gun Range Video Shooting a Target of President Trump, Posts Weird Rant Walking it Back
Damage Control Video Sparks More Questions
After deleting the controversial footage, Cooper posted a TikTok video attempting to walk back the incident. Opening by singing Journey’s “Faithfully,” Cooper claimed to condemn violence while simultaneously calling for Trump’s impeachment “on day one” in office. Cooper stated there’s a “big difference” between wanting relief from Trump’s presidency and wishing violence, insisting the brewery hosting the event wasn’t entirely wrong. Cooper describes himself as an “openly proclaimed Satanist” alongside his socialist political identity, creating additional controversy in the competitive northeast Wisconsin district.
No Law Enforcement Response Yet
Neither the Secret Service nor local law enforcement issued statements about the threatening imagery as of Sunday. The Wisconsin Democrat Party has not released a formal press statement beyond the internal convention ban decision. Cooper remains one of several candidates seeking the Democrat nomination ahead of the August primary in the 8th District, which represents a competitive seat that both parties view as potentially flippable. The incident raises concerns about political discourse deteriorating into violent imagery, even as Cooper attempts to distance himself from advocating actual violence against the sitting president.
