Trump returns to site of Pennsylvania assassination attempt for a major swing-state rally

**BUTLER, Pa. (AP)** — Donald Trump returned to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds on Saturday, marking his first appearance since he was nearly assassinated there in July. He held a large rally with a sea of supporters in this critical swing state, which he hopes to win back in the November election.

The former president and Republican nominee opened his speech by picking up where he left off in July, recalling the gunfire incident that struck his ear. “As I was saying,” he began, gesturing toward an immigration chart he had been discussing when the shots rang out.

With just 30 days until the election and early voting already underway in some states, the Trump campaign sought to maximize the event's impact. Musician Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA,” a staple at his rallies, and billionaire Elon Musk made his first appearance at a Trump event.

“We fought together. We have endured together. We have pushed onward together,” Musk said. “And right here in Pennsylvania, we have bled together.”

To secure victory in Pennsylvania, Trump needs to energize conservative strongholds like Butler County, a predominantly white, rural-suburban area. Vice President Kamala Harris is also focusing her campaign efforts on Pennsylvania, holding multiple rallies to reach critical swing voters.

At the rally's start, Trump called for a moment of silence to honor firefighter Corey Comperatore, who died shielding family members from gunfire during the July incident. Opera singer Christopher Macchio performed “Ave Maria” after a bell rang at the moment gunfire erupted on July 13.

Addressing the crowd from behind protective glass, Trump described the would-be assassin as “a vicious monster,” asserting that he did not succeed “by the hand of providence and the grace of God.” The heightened security presence was evident, with armed law enforcement visible on rooftops.

Musk, introduced by Trump as a “great gentleman” who “saved free speech,” energized the crowd, declaring, “President Trump must win to preserve the Constitution. He must win to preserve democracy in America.”

Before Trump took the stage, Ohio Senator JD Vance reflected on the events of July 13, criticizing Democrats for labeling Trump “a threat to democracy.” He recalled, “You heard the shots. You saw the blood. But you knew everything would be OK when President Trump raised his fist high in the air and shouted, ‘Fight, fight!’”

The crowd began forming early, with many waiting hours to see Trump. About 30 minutes into his speech, he paused for over five minutes to allow a medic to attend to an attendee who experienced a medical issue.

Trump also took time to remember Comperatore and acknowledged two other attendees who were injured in the shooting: David Dutch and James Copenhaver. They, along with Trump, were struck when 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a nearby rooftop before being fatally shot by law enforcement.

Many questions remain regarding how Crooks managed to evade law enforcement and position himself to shoot at the former president. Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger assured that safety measures are being enhanced for future events.

Sheriff Mike Slupe indicated that the Secret Service has significantly increased its security measures since the July incident, stating they are deploying “quadruple the assets.”

Butler County is a Trump stronghold; he won with approximately 66% of the vote in both 2016 and 2020. Around 57% of the county's 139,000 registered voters are Republicans, while about 29% are Democrats.

Chris Harpster, a local resident, attended the rally with his girlfriend, expressing that the heightened security reassured him after the July incident. “I was afraid,” he said, reflecting on the previous event. He plans to vote for Trump again, citing his positions on immigration, gun rights, abortion, and energy.

Opinions about Trump’s return were mixed among locals. Heidi Priest, a Butler resident and Harris supporter, noted that Trump’s previous visit had escalated political tensions. “Whenever you see people supporting him, it scares those who don’t want him reelected,” she said.

Conversely, Terri Palmquist traveled from Bakersfield, California, despite her daughter's concerns. “I just figure we need to not let fear control us,” she said. “Honestly, I believe God’s got Trump for some reason. So we’re rooting for him.”