A Wisconsin congressional candidate filmed shooting at Trump-themed targets at a gun range, then scrubbed the video after facing severe backlash that got him banned from the state Democrat convention this weekend.
Campaign Video Crosses Line—Party Takes Action
Cooper, running for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, posted campaign footage showing him firing weapons at targets depicting President Trump. The Wisconsin Democrat Party responded by barring him from speaking at their 8th District convention at UW-Green Bay this weekend. No law enforcement or Secret Service statements have been issued about the threatening imagery as of Sunday. Cooper describes himself as an “openly proclaimed Satanist,” his campaign manager is also a trans-identified male, and the Democratic Socialists of America backs his candidacy.
Transgender Socialist Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Deletes Gun Range Video Shooting a Target of President Trump, Posts Weird Rant Walking it Back
Bizarre Walk-Back Attempt Falls Flat
After deleting the controversial video, Cooper posted a damage-control TikTok beginning with him singing Journey’s “Faithfully.” He claimed he doesn’t advocate violence while simultaneously calling for Trump’s impeachment on “day one” in office. Cooper attempted to draw distinctions between his violent imagery and actual threats, saying he just wants Trump “gone” and advocates for impeachment consistently. The explanation failed to address why his campaign featured him shooting at Trump targets in the first place.
Socialist Platform Targets Churches, Pushes Far-Left Agenda
Cooper’s campaign website promotes universal healthcare, raising the federal minimum wage, affordable housing, taxing mega churches, and government-funded childcare as top priorities. He is one of several candidates seeking the Democrat nomination ahead of the August primary. The 8th District remains competitive in northeast Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Democrat Party has not released a formal press statement beyond the internal decision to exclude Cooper from the convention. The incident raises questions about acceptable campaign messaging and political violence rhetoric heading into the 2026 election cycle.
