Donald Trump resumed his campaign activities on Tuesday for the first time since a thwarted assassination attempt over the weekend. Speaking at a town hall in Flint, Michigan, a city known for its once-thriving automotive industry, Trump characterized the attack as a consequence of his significant impact on national politics.
Trump linked the attempted assassination, which occurred at his golf course in Florida, to his pledge to impose heavy tariffs on car imports from Mexico and China. He stated, “And then you wonder why I get shot at, right? You know, only consequential presidents get shot at,” emphasizing the gravity of his political stance and its repercussions.
During the town hall, Trump also praised Vice President Kamala Harris for reaching out to him after the incident. Harris, who was campaigning in Pennsylvania, said she called Trump to ensure he was safe and reiterated her condemnation of political violence. The White House described their conversation as “cordial and brief,” while Trump appreciated Harris’s gesture, noting that she “could not have been nicer.”
Trump’s supporters, including retired autoworker Donald Owen, expressed that the foiled attack only strengthened their resolve to support him. Owen stated, “I believe that they want to kill Trump so that Trump cannot try to make his second term in office.”
At the event, Trump continued to position himself as the defender of the American auto industry against foreign competition, highlighting the impact of his trade policies.