Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday for the Republican National Convention, just over 24 hours after surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. According to his son, Eric Trump, the former president remained committed to his schedule despite the attack.
The incident occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a critical state for the upcoming election. Trump was grazed on the ear by a bullet, which he described as a “whizzing” projectile. “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” Trump told the New York Post, recounting how a slight turn of his head likely saved him from a fatal injury.
Eric Trump shared a video on social media platform X, showing their arrival in Milwaukee aboard “Trump Force One.” The video captured the plane’s landing and passengers disembarking in Wisconsin.
Despite the attack, Trump maintained his commitment to his schedule. “I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” Trump declared on Truth Social, affirming his decision to attend the convention.
The shooting left one person dead and two others wounded. The victim, Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old Trump supporter, died protecting his family. The two injured individuals are in stable condition. The suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing home aide, was identified as the shooter. Armed with an AR-15-style rifle, he managed to get within range of Trump, prompting questions about security measures at the event.
President Joe Biden responded to the incident by ordering a review of security protocols. The Secret Service and FBI are investigating the shooting, which they have classified as an attempted assassination. The rapid response of the Secret Service was crucial in neutralizing Crooks, who was killed by a single shot from law enforcement.
Trump praised the bravery and loyalty of his audience, noting their calm response despite the danger. He also acknowledged President Biden’s phone call, describing it as cordial and supportive. The reality of the assassination attempt, Trump admitted, is still sinking in.
In his first in-depth interview following the attack, Trump recounted the series of events and decisions that likely saved his life. He described the moment as surreal and expressed gratitude for the rapid response of his Secret Service detail. He recalled the now-iconic image of raising his fist and mouthing “fight” to reassure his supporters amidst the chaos. “I wanted my fans to know I was alright and that America goes on, we go forward, that we are strong,” Trump stated.
In the wake of the attempt, Trump has decided to revise his speech for the upcoming Republican National Convention. Initially planned as a critique of President Biden’s policies, Trump now aims for a more unifying message. “I think it would be very bad if I got up and started going wild about how horrible everybody is, and how corrupt and crooked, even if it’s true,” he said, expressing a hope to bring the nation together.
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is set to confirm Trump as the party’s nominee to challenge Democrat incumbent Joe Biden in the November election. Trump is also expected to announce his vice-presidential running mate soon. The convention will feature speeches from prominent Republican figures and highlight key issues such as abortion, immigration, and the economy.
Despite the recent violence, the FBI and Secret Service assured there are no known threats to the convention, and security measures remain robust. Trump expressed his determination to continue his campaign and focus on uniting the country, despite acknowledging the deep divisions that exist. His revised speech for the convention aims to address these divisions and propose a vision for America’s future.
As Trump prepares for his speech at the convention, he remains focused on unifying the country and moving forward despite the divisions. “I’ve been fighting a group of people that I considered very bad people for a long time, and they’ve been fighting me, and we’ve put up a very good fight,” he reflected. “Now, we have a speech that is more unifying.”
