Trump rallies supporters in Butler, where he survived an assassination attempt
Posted on 10/06/2024
(This article has been updated to add new information and photos.)
BUTLER, Pa. ― Three months after surviving an assassination attempt in rural Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump returned to the same stage Saturday for a raucous do-over rally, proclaiming to a jubilant crowd of tens of thousands of people that he would “never yield ― not even in the face of death itself.”
'I will never yield': Trump delivers defiant speech at site of his attempted assassination
“A cold-blooded assassin aimed to silence me and silence the greatest movement ― MAGA ― in the history of our country,” Trump told supporters at the Butler Farm Show, the open-air venue where he was shot in the ear July 13 by a gunman who also killed a rally-goer and injured two others. The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was killed by Secret Service.
“By the hand of Providence and the grace of God, that villain did not succeed in his goal ― did not come close.”
Trump's appearance in Butler was cast as a historic and defiant return for the Republican presidential nominee, as evidenced by a slew of heavyweight surrogates in attendance, including Trump’s running mate JD Vance; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Lara Trump; and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
It was also cast as a commemoration.
Trump, opening his 90-minute speech with a tribute, referred to the Butler rally grounds as a monument to the valor of first responders and the sacrifice of everyday citizens.
“Forever after, all who’ve visited this hallowed place will remember what happened here,” Trump said. “And they will know of the character and courage of so many incredible American patriots.”
Trump thanked the Secret Service, local and state law enforcement, and the medical team at Butler Memorial Hospital, where he was treated. He also recognized David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were injured July 13, and Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old Butler County resident and volunteer firefighter who was killed at the rally protecting his family.
“Every father and husband in America hopes, if the time came, we would have what Corey had ― tremendous courage, tremendous guts,” Trump said. “He wanted to protect his family and he did protect his family.”
Comperatore’s firefighter suit, displayed on the risers, was shown on the rally's big screens, eliciting chants of “Corey” from the crowd. Comperatore’s wife, Helen, and their two daughters, were in attendance Saturday.
While the bulk of Trump's speech reverted to familiar territory ― attacking Vice President Kamala Harris on immigration, the economy and other issues ― the July 13 incident was an inescapable theme for rallygoers.
The image of a bloodied Trump, raising his fist after the attempted assassination, teemed in various forms, from t-shirts, signs and paintings to a statue of a fist-raising Trump at the farm show’s main entrance.
More: Who is winning the 2024 presidential election? What national polls say vs. in Pennsylvania
Trump’s declaration to “fight, fight, fight,” which he told the crowd after being shot, was a rallying cry and a frequent chant among rallygoers.
Even replays of the moment, displayed on the rally's big screens, drew loud cheers from the crowd.
"People need to know he's a fighter," said Josh Fulfer, a Trump supporter from California, who traveled three days to attend the Butler rally. “He stood up, raised his fist and said ‘fight, fight, fight.’ That’s the leader we need for the country,”
"He's a stronger person now than he was," added Audrey Studdert, of Pittsburgh.
Trump on Saturday spoke from behind bulletproof glass while counter snipers stood on shipping containers to the sides of the stage. Security drones were also hovering above the crowd and, for a brief time, a helicopter.
Johnstown resident Jessie Anderson, who attended the July 13 rally, said she returned to Butler to let the country know "we're not afraid."
"People actually feel more empowered to come and show their support," she said. "They know how important it is to come out and vote now and make sure that our red voices get heard."
BUTLER, Pa. ― Three months after surviving an assassination attempt in rural Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump returned to the same stage Saturday for a raucous do-over rally, proclaiming to a jubilant crowd of tens of thousands of people that he would “never yield ― not even in the face of death itself.”
'I will never yield': Trump delivers defiant speech at site of his attempted assassination
“A cold-blooded assassin aimed to silence me and silence the greatest movement ― MAGA ― in the history of our country,” Trump told supporters at the Butler Farm Show, the open-air venue where he was shot in the ear July 13 by a gunman who also killed a rally-goer and injured two others. The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was killed by Secret Service.
“By the hand of Providence and the grace of God, that villain did not succeed in his goal ― did not come close.”
Trump's appearance in Butler was cast as a historic and defiant return for the Republican presidential nominee, as evidenced by a slew of heavyweight surrogates in attendance, including Trump’s running mate JD Vance; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Lara Trump; and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
It was also cast as a commemoration.
Trump, opening his 90-minute speech with a tribute, referred to the Butler rally grounds as a monument to the valor of first responders and the sacrifice of everyday citizens.
“Forever after, all who’ve visited this hallowed place will remember what happened here,” Trump said. “And they will know of the character and courage of so many incredible American patriots.”
Trump thanked the Secret Service, local and state law enforcement, and the medical team at Butler Memorial Hospital, where he was treated. He also recognized David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were injured July 13, and Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old Butler County resident and volunteer firefighter who was killed at the rally protecting his family.
“Every father and husband in America hopes, if the time came, we would have what Corey had ― tremendous courage, tremendous guts,” Trump said. “He wanted to protect his family and he did protect his family.”
Comperatore’s firefighter suit, displayed on the risers, was shown on the rally's big screens, eliciting chants of “Corey” from the crowd. Comperatore’s wife, Helen, and their two daughters, were in attendance Saturday.
While the bulk of Trump's speech reverted to familiar territory ― attacking Vice President Kamala Harris on immigration, the economy and other issues ― the July 13 incident was an inescapable theme for rallygoers.
The image of a bloodied Trump, raising his fist after the attempted assassination, teemed in various forms, from t-shirts, signs and paintings to a statue of a fist-raising Trump at the farm show’s main entrance.
More: Who is winning the 2024 presidential election? What national polls say vs. in Pennsylvania
Trump’s declaration to “fight, fight, fight,” which he told the crowd after being shot, was a rallying cry and a frequent chant among rallygoers.
Even replays of the moment, displayed on the rally's big screens, drew loud cheers from the crowd.
"People need to know he's a fighter," said Josh Fulfer, a Trump supporter from California, who traveled three days to attend the Butler rally. “He stood up, raised his fist and said ‘fight, fight, fight.’ That’s the leader we need for the country,”
"He's a stronger person now than he was," added Audrey Studdert, of Pittsburgh.
Trump on Saturday spoke from behind bulletproof glass while counter snipers stood on shipping containers to the sides of the stage. Security drones were also hovering above the crowd and, for a brief time, a helicopter.
Johnstown resident Jessie Anderson, who attended the July 13 rally, said she returned to Butler to let the country know "we're not afraid."
"People actually feel more empowered to come and show their support," she said. "They know how important it is to come out and vote now and make sure that our red voices get heard."
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