During a Fox News interview, Donald Trump joked about his wife Melania’s reaction to the attempted assassination at his Butler rally.
According to the Independent, the former President revealed that Melania was watching his Butler rally live when Thomas Crooks shot at him on July 13.
When asked about Melania’s reaction, Trump said, “She was watching live. It was all over the place, it was on television." He continued:
I asked her that, I mean, I wasn’t there, I was on the ground. When I could talk to people I said, ‘So what was your feeling?’, and she said she can’t even talk about it, which is OK because that means she likes me.
Trump recounted that Melania feared the worst when he went down and saw blood on his hand:
When I went down, she thought the worst had happened because I went down, and I grabbed my [ear] and I saw my hand was loaded up with blood. You see it in slow motion, instant replay.
On July 13, a 20-year-old named Thomas Crooks opened fire at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooting resulted in injuries to Trump and several attendees. Tragically, firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed while shielding his family from the gunfire. The incident has raised serious questions about security measures at the event.
In the aftermath, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have scrutinized the security failures that led to the shooting. Congress has called in then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for a hearing. Cheatle faced intense questioning from lawmakers before ultimately stepping down from her role.
Trump mentioned Comperatore during his interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham. He emphasized the importance of investigating the incident thoroughly. “Getting to the bottom of what happened is very important,” Trump stated.
The security breakdowns at the Butler rally have been a major point of contention in the weeks following the event. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed their concerns about the lapses that allowed the shooting to occur. The scrutiny has led to significant shifts within the Secret Service.
Kimberly Cheatle, who was the Director of the Secret Service at the time of the rally, was called to testify before Congress. During her testimony, Cheatle faced tough questions about the measures in place and how they failed. The intense grilling from lawmakers highlighted the bipartisan concern over the incident’s handling.
After her testimony, Cheatle decided to step down from her position. The decision was seen as a direct consequence of the security failures and the subsequent scrutiny from Congress. This change in leadership at the Secret Service underscores the gravity of the situation.
During the Fox News interview, Trump also paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who died protecting his family. Trump’s acknowledgment of Comperatore’s bravery highlighted the personal toll of the shooting. The incident not only affected the rally attendees but also brought to light the heroic actions of individuals like Comperatore.
Trump’s remarks about Melania’s reaction were both light-hearted and revealing. His comment that her inability to talk about the incident “means she likes me” provided a glimpse into their relationship. Despite the serious nature of the shooting, Trump’s ability to inject humor into the conversation was notable.
The Butler rally shooting on July 13 has led to significant scrutiny of security practices at political events. The injuries to Donald Trump and other attendees, as well as the death of Corey Comperatore, have raised serious questions about how such incidents can be prevented in the future. Congressional hearings and changes within the Secret Service signal a commitment to addressing these issues.
