I believe we are supposed to note the parallels of the movie Snake Eyes from 1998 with current events.
Charles Kirkland Assassination
Charles Kirkland assassinated, shot in the left side of the neck.
Boxer Lincoln Tyler “Tyler the Executioner” gets knocked down on purpose in the bout to get the crowd to stand and mask the assassin’s shot.
On September 10th
An old guy with long hair in the movie gives the signal for Tyler to go down, and acts as another loud diversion.
Assassination is framed in public as having been carried out by Palestinian extremist Tarik Ben Rabat, who is motivated by the United States’ large-scale defense cooperation and weapons systems transfers to Israel. Tarik Ben Rabat is shot and killed in the movie by Commander Dunne just after the assassination.
Plot
Atlantic City Arena owner Gilbert Powell arranges for the assassination of both Secretary of Defense Charles Kirkland and whistleblower Julia Costello in order to continue his “Air Guard” missile defense system deal where he is supposed to profit enough to cover the cost of converting his arena to a hotel, the new Millenium Hotel and Casino.
Secretary of Defense Charles Kirkland received envelope from whistleblower who told about the “Air Guard” missile defense system that was sold to US by showing fake data and a fireworks show of fake missiles being stopped instead of real data and real missiles.
Nobody was allowed to leave the arena until they were ID’ed because all were potential witnesses of the assassination.
Arena owner Powell describes the whole scheme ~1:07 in an exchange with Commander Kevin Dunne. At the end of the exchange, he asks Dunne if he is an “acceptable loss” in the plan, and appears to realize at the time he’s worried he might be.
Symbolism
Occurs during Hurricane Jezebel. In the biblical narrative, Jezebel replaced Yahwism with Baal and Asherah worship and was responsible for Naboth’s death. Weather reporter complains that she has “spin the weather” to call it a tropical storm because it’s a holiday weekend and they don’t want to scare away travelers.
Boxing match is the “swan song” for the Atlantic City Arena before it is to be gutted and renovated to become a hotel. The swan song is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song just before their death while they have been silent (or alternatively not so musical) for most of their lifetime. In the movie, construction for the renovation begins the next day after the boxing match during the credits in the movie.
“Flying Eye” camera in the movie (mounted on the bottom of a little blimp), has a big eye painted on it that looks like the Eye of Providence, and catches the whole scene on video from above in the arena.
When Gilbert Arena gives an interview on TV after the assassination, he specifically asserts that the missile defense system deal will continue despite the terrorism. Commander Dunne sees the interview and comments, “That’s called the first draft of history. It’s going to hold.”
“Tarik” is a masculine name of Arabic origin, commonly meaning “the morning star” or “he who knocks at the door,” derived from the Arabic verb “taraqa,” meaning “to knock” or “to strike”. It is a variant spelling of “Tariq” and carries connotations of leadership, guidance, and new beginnings.
Other Notes
Donald Trump is not mentioned by name in the movie. However, the character Gilbert Powell, played by John Heard, is widely noted in film trivia and online discussions as being based on Donald Trump. Powell is depicted as a sleazy arena director and defense contractor, and parts of the movie were filmed at the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. While Trump himself does not appear nor is he named in the film, the connection arises from the character’s inspiration and the filming location.