The Boy Who Tried to Kill Trump is a gripping documentary produced by BBC Select that tells the story of a young boy from Cumberland in the UK who was radicalized online and attempted to assassinate the then-US President, Donald Trump. The film is directed by BAFTA award-winning director Robb Leech (My Brother the Islamist) and features interviews with the boy's family, friends, and experts in radicalization.
The documentary begins by introducing us to the boy, who is referred to as Michael in the film. We see footage of him as a youngster, playing with his family and appearing to be a typical, happy child. However, we soon learn that Michael's life took a dark turn when he became obsessed with far-right politics and conspiracy theories. Through online forums and social media, Michael was exposed to extremist ideologies and began to develop a deep hatred for Muslims and other minority groups.
The film goes on to explore how Michael's radicalization took hold and how he became increasingly isolated from his family and friends. We hear from Michael's mother, who describes how she noticed changes in her son's behavior, and how she struggled to reach him as he became more and more entrenched in his extremist beliefs. We also hear from a former teacher of Michael's who noticed his growing fixation with far-right politics and tried to intervene.
As Michael became more radicalized, his online activity attracted the attention of law enforcement. The documentary features interviews with police officers who were involved in investigating Michael and uncovering his plans to kill Trump. We learn how Michael made contact with other far-right extremists online and how he was inspired by the actions of previous assassins, such as John Hinckley Jr. and Lee Harvey Oswald.
The film also explores the wider issue of online radicalization and the danger posed by far-right groups operating on social media. Experts in radicalization are interviewed, who explain how young people like Michael can become drawn into extremist movements and how the internet is facilitating the spread of hate speech and dangerous ideologies.
Throughout the documentary, we are given a glimpse into Michael's inner world through his online activity and personal writings. We see how he became more and more disconnected from reality and how his extremist beliefs warped his perception of the world around him.
In the aftermath of Michael's arrest and incarceration, we see his family coming to terms with what has happened and trying to understand how their son could have become so radicalized. The film also explores the complex legal implications of Michael's actions, including the difficult ethical question of how to punish a child who has committed an act of terrorism.
Overall, The Boy Who Tried to Kill Trump is a thought-provoking and unsettling documentary that shines a light on the danger of online extremism and the radicalization of young people. Through personal interviews and a nuanced exploration of the wider issues, the film provides a powerful insight into how hate speech and extremist ideologies can lead to violent and tragic consequences.
