Former President Donald Trump has provided a gripping account of the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month.
According to the interview published by Breitbart News, Trump was addressing a crowd of approximately 55,000 supporters when a bullet grazed his ear. The former president recounted how a split-second turn of his head likely saved his life as the shooter fired from about 130 yards away.
Trump emphasized the rarity of such a close call, stating that the odds were "millions to nothing" that he would turn at precisely the right moment to avoid a fatal shot.
Trump vividly described the moment of impact, saying he immediately knew he had been hit by a bullet. Despite the chaotic situation, he claimed to have maintained full awareness of what was happening. The former president detailed how Secret Service agents quickly covered him, initially believing he had been hit multiple times due to the profuse bleeding from his ear.
According to Trump's account, he insisted on standing up and walking to the vehicle that would transport him to the hospital rather than being carried out on a stretcher. He recalled raising his fist and shouting "fight, fight, fight!" to the crowd, a moment he now considers "iconic."
Trump praised the bravery of both his Secret Service detail and the rally attendees. He noted with admiration that many in the crowd did not flee despite the gunfire, singling out one particularly stoic supporter directly behind him during the shooting.
While Trump commended the bravery of the agents who shielded him, he also pointed out what he saw as a significant lapse in security. He criticized the failure to secure the rooftop from which the shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired the shots. However, Trump praised the Secret Service counter-sniper, who neutralized the threat with a single shot from 400 yards away.
The former president revealed that the then-director of the Secret Service has since resigned, and several personnel have been placed on administrative duty pending an investigation. Trump appeared to support calls for greater transparency in the inquiry into the incident.
Trump used the interview to discuss the dangers inherent in the presidency, noting that about 12 percent of U.S. presidents have been assassinated in office.
He linked the attempt on his life to what he perceives as inflammatory rhetoric from his political opponents, particularly criticizing claims that he poses a threat to democracy.
The former president stated:
Certainly, the way they took about threat to democracy all the time—I think that's a terrible statement to make. They don't believe any of it. A lot of people think it's their rhetoric that caused this. Their rhetoric is terrible. All I want to do is Make America Great Again.
Trump also revealed plans to form a special presidential commission on assassinations if he wins the upcoming election. This commission would investigate not only the attempt on his life but also historical cases such as the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy.
In conclusion, Trump's detailed account of the assassination attempt provides a rare glimpse into the personal experience of such a high-stakes security incident. His reflections on the event touch on issues of political rhetoric, presidential security, and the enduring fascination with political assassinations in American history. As the investigation continues and the 2024 election approaches, this incident is likely to remain a significant point of discussion in the political landscape.
