Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, rallying a large crowd in the critical battleground state one month before the November 5 election. The site holds significant memories for Trump, as it was where he survived an assassination attempt on July 13.
As he took the stage, Trump jested, ‘As I was saying,’ resuming the speech that was abruptly interrupted when he was grazed in the ear by a bullet during the July event.
In a surprising move mid-speech, Trump invited Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of social media platform X, onto the stage. It was Musk’s first appearance at a Trump campaign event since he endorsed the former president following the assassination attempt.
Musk energetically joined Trump on stage, arms held high. ‘The true test of someone’s character is how they behave under fire,’ Musk declared, calling the upcoming election a ‘must-win situation’ for Trump and urging the crowd to register to vote. ‘Be a pest to everyone you know,’ he added, emphasizing the importance of voter turnout.
Trump paid tribute to firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed by the shooter during the July incident, and acknowledged two others who were wounded. At precisely 6:11 p.m., the exact time when shots were fired on July 13, Trump called for a moment of silence. A bell tolled four times, once for each of the four victims, including himself.
In his address, Trump spoke of facing ‘an enemy from within’ more dangerous than any foreign adversary. Referring to the gunman, he said, ‘A cold-blooded assassin aimed to silence me’ but asserted that the attempt ‘did not stop our movement.’
The rally attracted tens of thousands, many donning Trump merchandise and chanting ‘fight, fight, fight,’ echoing the slogan Trump used moments after he was shot. Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance, Trump’s vice-presidential running mate, also addressed the crowd, stating, ‘We’re here to say, we can’t be intimidated, we can’t be stopped.’
Vance dismissed claims by Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats that Trump poses a threat to democracy. ‘Donald Trump took a bullet for democracy. What have you done?’ Vance challenged.
The crowd cheered as Trump’s plane performed a flyover prior to landing, accompanied by the ‘Top Gun’ movie theme song playing over loudspeakers.
The July 13 incident was the first of two assassination attempts on Trump. On September 15, a gunman was discovered after hiding undetected for nearly 12 hours at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, with intentions to kill him. The suspect was thwarted by a U.S. Secret Service agent patrolling the course.
Republican officials hope Trump’s return to Butler will galvanize his core supporters in Pennsylvania, a state both he and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, consider crucial for victory in the upcoming election. ‘I’m going back to Butler because I feel I have an obligation to go back,’ Trump told NewsNation earlier this week. ‘We never finished what we were supposed to do.’
The Butler shooting prompted widespread criticism of the U.S. Secret Service and led to the resignation of its director. Questions were raised about how the 20-year-old suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to access a rooftop with a direct line of sight to Trump’s speaking area. Crooks was subsequently shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
A Secret Service investigation revealed communication gaps and a lack of diligence prior to the shooting. In response, the agency implemented enhanced security measures for Trump, including the use of bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated before Saturday’s rally that there had been ‘comprehensive changes and enhancements to our communications capabilities, resourcing, and protective operations.’
Trump credits turning his head to read a chart displayed on a big screen for saving his life during the July incident. With blood streaming down his face, he famously raised a fist and shouted ‘fight’ to his supporters—a vivid image from that day. He wore a white bandage on his wounded ear for days afterward.
‘I love that chart,’ Trump remarked when it appeared on the screen during Saturday’s rally. ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ he quipped, drawing applause from the crowd.
Reference(s):
Elon Musk endorses Trump at Pennsylvania rally, calls it a 'must-win'
cgtn.com
