Nearly three months after an assassin’s bullet nearly took his life, former President Donald Trump went to Butler, Pennsylvania, returning to the “tragic” place to promise his supporters victory in the presidential election. President on November 5.
One person — a volunteer fire chief — was killed in the July 13 shooting, which left two bystanders seriously injured and Trump shot in the ear.
“For 15 seconds, time stood still,” Trump told the crowd. “This vicious monster unleashed evil… the villain failed to achieve his goal.”
For Saturday’s rally, however, security was tight — the result of tighter surveillance by the Secret Service after two attempts on Trump’s life last month.
Also in attendance were Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, as well as son Eric Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who supported Trump after the previous shooting.
Trump largely focused on familiar talking points in his speech, railing against a “corrupt system,” promising to bring “respect” to U.S. foreign policy and vowing to shut down “open borders” which he argues are the source of crime.
“You deserve a government that protects and respects your citizens, and that protects your sovereignty, security, dignity and freedom,” he told the crowd to loud applause. .
He also attacked his political opponents, accusing them of “slandering” him and trying to interfere in the election, and “who knows — maybe even try to kill me.”
“But I never stopped fighting for you,” he added. “Never will.”
Trump repeatedly mentioned the previous shooting, and the event included a moment of silence for Corey Compore, the firefighter who died in the July shooting.
“He became somewhat of a folk hero,” Trump added. “Our beautiful Corey.”
The former president highly praised Elon Musk and wholeheartedly invited him on stage.
The tech billionaire told the crowd he thought this was “the most important election of our lifetime” and urged voters to register and vote for Trump.
About 25,000 to 30,000 people were expected to attend the protest, which snarled traffic in the rural town of Butler throughout Saturday. Many people had to wait up to 10 hours in the blazing sun to pass by a long line of vendors selling orange Trump/Vance campaign flags, hats, signs and wigs intended to represent the Trump/Vance campaign. Interview with former president.
Teresa Wilson, a former U.S. Marine who also attended the previous protest on July 13, said: “I certainly admire his willingness to come back here and give a speech that last time. before he was rejected.”
“I would understand if he avoided coming back – I know some viewers don’t want to come back and some are very scared,” she added. “If he can replace the previous effort, then we as his constituency can certainly come out to offer support.”
With just 31 days left until Americans vote, polls show Trump and Kamala Harris in a tight race in Pennsylvania – a hotly contested battleground state.
For example, data from the New York Times and Siena show the two are nearly deadlocked in a tie, favoring Harris 49% to 48%.
In dozens of interviews with Trump supporters at the campaign trail, most identified the economy — especially inflation — as their top concern ahead of the election.
“We are not taken care of. People don’t have enough money to buy food. They barely have enough money to buy gasoline [petrol],” said Jessenia Anderson, a voter in Pennsylvania who was at the rally wearing a red “Latinas for Trump” T-shirt. “I have a family but I find myself earning cheaper money [meals]buy cheaper things.”
Others – such as rapper Sean Moon, a Tennessee voter – point to the US-Mexico border and immigration as the main reasons they support the former president.
“It is an existential threat to this country,” said Mr. Moon, the son of a North Korean refugee. He said the event in Butler was his 15th consecutive rally for Trump.
“There are people who come without being tested. They lie and get rewarded for it. That doesn’t do North Carolina or Maui any good,” he added, referring to Hurricane Helene and last year’s wildfires in Hawaii.
