In a plot twist that would make Hollywood writers do a double-take, President Donald Trump reached across the partisan divide to check on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro after a terrifying arson attack at the governor’s mansion. Yes, you read that correctly—Trump personally called the Democrat governor whose residence was set ablaze by an alleged antisemitic attacker. Talk about unexpected political bedfellows!

As the smoke literally cleared from Shapiro’s residence, many wondered how the Biden administration would respond to this shocking attack against a prominent Democrat governor. But it was Trump who picked up the phone first, catching Shapiro—and pretty much everyone else—completely off guard. So how did the progressive governor respond to getting a call from Trump? The answer might surprise you.

When the Red Phone Rings…

Turns out, Shapiro initially didn’t even pick up. Not because of political differences, but because the president was calling from an unfamiliar number. In politics, as in dating, we’ve all learned to screen those unknown callers.

“I actually didn’t take his call because it came from his cellphone and I didn’t have that number in my phone, so I didn’t know who it was,” Shapiro explained to reporters during the annual Easter Egg Hunt at his official residence. “As soon as I heard his message, I called him right back.”

From ‘Fox News’:

“He was very gracious,” Shapiro said. “He asked how Lori and the kids were doing. [We] talked for a couple of minutes about what transpired at the residence, and then we talked for maybe the next 15 minutes or so about a whole host of other topics.”

The conversation lasted approximately 15 minutes, covering not just the attack but various other subjects that both men deemed important enough to discuss across party lines. Shapiro described Trump as “very gracious” and said they “agreed to stay in touch going forward.”

Terror at the Governor’s Mansion

The attack itself was as disturbing as it was brazen. Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old man, allegedly broke into Shapiro’s residence on April 13, hurling incendiary devices inside after breaking windows. Surveillance video described in the warrant shows Balmer breaking windows, throwing “an incendiary device” inside, and then entering the residence to deploy another incendiary device.

According to police, Balmer’s motivation appears to be connected to the Israel-Hamas war and Shapiro’s Jewish faith. In a disturbing 911 call after the attack, Balmer allegedly stated that “Governor Josh Shapiro needs to know that Cody Balmer will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.” The suspect is now facing serious charges including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and terrorism.

Trump had previously commented on the attack, noting that the suspect “was probably just a whack job” and “was not a fan of Trump.” He emphasized that “certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen.”

A Lesson in Leadership

Trump’s call represents something increasingly rare in American politics—reaching across the aisle when a fellow American faces danger, regardless of political differences. It’s the kind of gesture that makes you wonder: Would prominent Democrats extend the same courtesy if the situation were reversed and a Republican governor’s mansion was attacked?

History suggests the answer is… well, let’s just say the track record isn’t impressive. When Trump himself faced an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in July 2024, the response from Democratic leadership was notably muted, with some even implying Trump’s rhetoric had contributed to the climate that led to the attack.

The contrast couldn’t be clearer. When crisis strikes, some leaders dial the phone while others dial up the rhetoric. Trump’s call to Shapiro demonstrates that beneath the political theater, there still exists the potential for basic human decency in American politics—even if it sometimes comes from unexpected sources.

Key Takeaways:

• Trump demonstrated leadership by personally reaching out to Democrat Governor Shapiro after the antisemitic arson attack on his residence
• Shapiro described Trump as “very gracious” during their 15-minute conversation and said they agreed to stay in touch
• The gesture highlights a stark contrast between Trump’s response to a crisis affecting a political opponent and how Democrats typically react when Republicans face similar threats

Source: Fox News