Politics
Do You Stand with President Trump in the Wake of His Attempted Assassination?
Do You Stand with President Trump in the Wake of His Attempted Assassination?
Here’s The Scoop
A thankful and resilient Donald Trump expressed his disbelief to The Post Sunday, insisting he should be “dead” after surviving an assassination attempt during a Pennsylvania campaign rally.
In an exclusive interview aboard his private plane heading to Milwaukee for the GOP National Convention, the former president relived the chilling moment when an attacker aimed to take his life.
“The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle,” Trump noted, wrapping a large, loose white bandage around his right ear. Trump’s staff prohibited any photos.
“I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” Trump repeated. He explained that a slight turn of his head to the right to read a chart on illegal immigrants saved him. The bullet, which should have been fatal, instead grazed his ear, leaving blood splattered on his forehead.
As Secret Service agents escorted him off stage, Trump was adamant about continuing his speech, but safety concerns led him to the hospital instead. He marveled at the agents’ swift response, likening them to “linebackers,” and revealed a large bruise on his right forearm from the chaos.
The former president also offered a lighter moment, explaining why he insisted on retrieving his shoes: “The agents hit me so hard that my shoes fell off, and my shoes are tight,” he laughed.
Praising the Secret Service, Trump highlighted their precision in neutralizing the threat: “They took him out with one shot right between the eyes,” he said, pointing to the bridge of his nose.
Trump addressed the iconic image of him raising his fist and chanting “Fight” three times during the melee. “A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen,” he remarked. “They’re right, and I didn’t die. Usually, you have to die to have an iconic picture.”
Reflecting on his survival, Trump recalled the local doctor’s astonishment that he survived an AR-15 hit. “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” he said.
Tragically, the rally’s violence claimed the life of firefighter Corey Comperatore, who died protecting his family, and wounded two others. Trump expressed his intent to reach out to the victim’s families and possibly attend Comperatore’s funeral.
Despite the horrific incident, Trump praised the rally’s crowd of 55,000 for their calm and composure.
“A lot of places, especially soccer games, you hear a single shot, everybody runs. Here there were many shots and they stayed,” he said. “I love them. They are such great people.”
Speaking with US Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during the flight, Trump’s optimism shone through. Graham described Trump’s attitude as “unbelievable” following the narrow escape.
Trump revealed that the assassination attempt had altered his planned acceptance speech for the GOP nomination. Initially set to address the “corrupt, horrible administration,” he opted for a new direction aimed at unity, though acknowledging the deep divisions in the country.
Trump pointed to key policy differences as major obstacles, particularly issues like border security and gender policies in sports. Nonetheless, he expressed hope that victory could unite the country, even if he remained vague on specifics.
He appreciated President Biden’s call, describing it as “fine” and “very nice,” and hinted at a potentially more civil campaign moving forward. Trump also speculated about Biden possibly directing the Department of Justice to drop its prosecutions against him, though without concrete evidence.
As the plane landed in Milwaukee, Trump watched a replay of the shooting, visibly affected by how close he came to death. Discussing his campaign, he appeared confident of victory, citing improved odds and the impact of the assassination attempt on voter sentiment.
Despite tight polls, Trump’s determination to deliver a unifying speech on Thursday presents a critical moment. This could be his chance to demonstrate a commitment to healing the nation’s divisions, aligning with his disciplined campaign strategy and smart political maneuvering on contentious issues like abortion.
If Trump moves forward with a more civil and smarter campaign, this near-death experience could catalyze a new chapter for both his presidential aspirations and America’s future. Perhaps this is the moment he was spared for. It’s time to seize it, Mr. President.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!
Linda Johnston
July 16, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Never approve of violence in a campaign but 45’s policies are really awful !!!!!!
R. Earl
July 16, 2024 at 8:11 pm
You really need to get your head out of your butt!
Jeanette D Potts
July 16, 2024 at 9:16 pm
TRUTH! Linda Johnston
Scotty
July 17, 2024 at 6:59 am
Peace and prosperity are a problem for you?
Denise
July 17, 2024 at 10:59 pm
Trump will not bring either peace or prosperity
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:34 pm
You are hopeless.
Denise
July 17, 2024 at 10:59 pm
absolutely!
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:37 pm
Your head is in the sand, Jerry.
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:44 pm
And how bad was it for you when Trump was president, compared to now? Those who lost their lives in Afghanistan would still be with their loved ones. Those who have been murdered by free roaming illegals would still be alive. We all would have more money as taxes and prices were much, much lower. Housing was affordable. How was this bad for you? TDS is a sad disease.
Lynda Griffin
July 16, 2024 at 11:51 pm
Trump did all this to himself. He started the violence on January 6, 2021 and has divided the country by his actions and his words. He should not be surprised that he reaps what he sows. President Biden and his campaign have played nice until just recently when they figured that the only way to get through to the Trump supporters was to use rhetoric they would understand. I feel no sympathy for Trump for his recent “injury”. Maybe he’ll learn something from it but I doubt it based on his track record.
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:35 pm
Wrong. About all of it.
M stevens
July 17, 2024 at 1:15 am
I cannot forget his past. I wish him no harm, but hope he is not re-elected. Arrogant and insincere.
Rita
July 17, 2024 at 10:54 am
and not to be forgotten….. a convicted Felon.
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:36 pm
Says someone who supports a career criminal.
Lance Anderson
July 17, 2024 at 2:19 am
I echo the comments of M STEVENS.
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:38 pm
Yay for you.
Jerry C.
July 17, 2024 at 3:45 am
I’m glad the attempt was a failure. Still, it isn’t gonna make me vote for him. I did, once, and he showed that while many of his policies were good for the American people HE was bad for America. I voted for him, again, hoping the policies would continue but that he’d curb his mouth (and his thumbs!) but he lost. I won’t vote for him, this time, because we’ve all seen he can be neither civil nor sensible with his mouth or thumbs. Because his head is so far up Putin’s rear that he sees what Vlad is eating before Putin tastes it. Because I don’t want to be party to Donald’s Revenge Tour. Because BOTH candidates are inept, egotistical, senile old men who have no business being on the ballot. Gimme a REAL Republican to vote for, please!
Bea Long
July 17, 2024 at 2:09 pm
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
Bad policies? WHAT bad policies? No inflation? Secure border? Low gas and grocery prices? No wars? Lowest unemployment rates for minorities? A booming economy?
So you don’t like his tweets and humorous sometimes scathing names for people he doesn’t like? Is that a reasonable reason to reject his policies?
Denise
July 17, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Bea, watch God and Country, and Bad Faith on Prime or Tubi. Those are very bad policies
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:40 pm
Denise. You think senile, old joe had good policies? Name some then.
S
July 21, 2024 at 8:37 pm
Your head is in the sand, Jerry.