Donald Trump is set to make a significant return this Saturday to Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of a tragic assassination attempt during a rally that resulted in one death and multiple injuries. This visit comes as Trump aims to honor the victims and share the stage with key figures, including his running mate J.D. Vance, family members of the victims, first responders, and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The former president expressed his desire to revisit the location of the July 13 shooting, where an attacker opened fire before being killed. “Butler has become quite a famous place—it’s like a monument now,” Trump stated at a recent rally in Milwaukee. His campaign highlighted that “he took a bullet for democracy” during the incident and announced plans for him to speak behind protective glass upon his return.
The Incident
The shooting incident occurred just six minutes into Trump’s campaign speech while he addressed a crowded field and discussed immigration statistics. Suddenly, eight shots rang out, prompting Trump to duck behind the podium as Secret Service agents rushed to secure the stage. In a dramatic moment, he raised his fist and urged the crowd to “fight, fight, fight,” creating a now-iconic image for his campaign, despite blood on his face.
Trump recounted his immediate concern for the crowd’s safety, asking, “How many people are dead?” However, witnesses noted that his first recorded words were actually, “let me get my shoes,” according to Erin Autenreith.
Political Repercussions
The shooting sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with President Joe Biden and other world leaders reaching out to wish Trump well. The incident sparked calls for a reduction in campaign tensions, although any respite was short-lived as hostilities resumed.
Despite being grazed by a bullet, Trump remained unharmed. The Secret Service faced criticism for their handling of security, particularly regarding the area from which the shots were fired, located just a few hundred feet from the stage.
This assassination attempt marked the beginning of a series of unsettling events in the presidential race, leading to Biden’s surprising withdrawal and Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic candidate. A subsequent incident on September 15 involved the apprehension of a man at Trump’s Florida golf course, allegedly armed with a rifle and a GoPro camera, which the FBI classified as a second assassination attempt.
Conspiracy Theories and Merchandise
Some of Trump’s supporters have propagated conspiracy theories suggesting that Democratic rhetoric labeling him a threat to democracy incited violence against him. Meanwhile, vendors at Trump rallies quickly capitalized on the shooting incident, selling T-shirts and memorabilia celebrating his narrow escape.
The tragic shooting in Butler claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a fire chief who died while trying to protect his family. Trump has expressed a desire to honor Comperatore and the other victims of the incident, stating, “We’re going to be there on Saturday. It’s going to be a really big event, and we’ll celebrate the life of Corey.”