The New York Times publishes a critical guest essay on former President Trump two days after the assassination attempt.

On Monday, the New York Times published a critical guest essay about former President Trump, two days after an assassination attempt on the Republican nominee.

Elizabeth Spiers, a Times contributing opinion writer, stated that the current situation is not an election with a misguided but well-intentioned Republican. Instead, it is a full-blown war with an authoritarian and power-hungry leader who will stop at nothing to destroy American democracy and maintain his grip on power, even if it means destroying the country.

It is likely that many opinion pieces were written and edited before Trump was nearly killed in a shooting in Pennsylvania.

Spiers argued that Democrats should "snap out of their West Wing reverie" in her critical piece. By referencing the TV show "West Wing," she implied that Democrats are too enamored with the idealized portrayal of politics on the show, which aired from 1999 to 2006.

The journalist and digital strategist elaborated that "following this fantasy is hindering the Democrats' ability to operate efficiently in the present political environment."

Spiers wrote that the fantasy is appealing but has little connection to reality, where political animosity goes beyond policy differences and is rarely resolved through civil discourse.

"In November, many voters will cast their ballots not to support their preferred candidate but to oppose the opposing party, a phenomenon known as negative partisanship."

After the New York Times published a critical editorial on Trump's fitness for office, the board condemned him as a threat to American democracy and urged voters not to support him.

On Saturday evening, Trump was seen bleeding from his ear after a gunman opened fire at his rally. As Secret Service agents escorted him away following the shooter's death, Trump raised his fist and shouted "fight!" repeatedly, to cheers from his supporters.

Another rally attendee was killed, and two others were critically hurt.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from western Pennsylvania, was identified by the FBI as the shooter. He was subsequently killed by Secret Service after opening fire.

Trump arrived at the Republican National Convention (RNC) after being discharged from a hospital in the Pittsburgh area, marking his first public appearance since the assassination attempt.

Planet Chronicle Digital did not receive an immediate response from The New York Times when requesting a comment.

Planet Chronicle' Charles Creitz and Adam Shaw contributed to this report.