Nearly three months after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, the scene of the attack. Addressing a crowd of thousands, Trump framed the moment as a symbol of his resilience and a testament to his unwavering commitment to his supporters. The incident, which left a volunteer fire chief dead and two bystanders wounded, occurred on July 13, 2024, when Trump was shot in the ear.
Speaking to the energized crowd, Donald Trump recounted the harrowing seconds during the attack, saying, “For 15 seconds, time stood still. This vicious monster unleashed evil… the villain did not succeed in his goal.” Security at the rally was markedly heightened in response to the incident and a subsequent attempt on Trump’s life in Florida. Despite these threats, Trump assured the crowd that he remains undeterred in his pursuit of victory in the November 5 presidential election.
Tight Security and Prominent Supporters at the Rally
Security measures for the rally were significantly intensified, reflecting the heightened scrutiny of the Secret Service following the two assassination attempts. The presence of high-profile figures, including Trump’s running mate JD Vance, son Eric Donald Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, underscored the importance of the event. Musk, who had previously endorsed Trump following the July shooting, took to the stage to express his support, calling the upcoming election “the most important of our lifetime.”
With between 25,000 and 30,000 attendees expected, the rally brought the small town of Butler to a standstill. Traffic snarled for hours as crowds waited to pass through stringent security checks. Vendors selling Trump campaign merchandise lined the streets, and many supporters waited over ten hours in the sun for the opportunity to hear Donald Trump speak. Among the attendees was Teresa Wilson, a former Marine, who praised Trump for returning to Butler despite the assassination attempt. “If he can stand in the place of the previous attempt, then we as his constituency can certainly show up to offer our support,” she said.
Donald Trump’s Speech: Fighting for the American People
During his speech, Donald Trump largely stuck to familiar themes, railing against what he described as a “corrupt system” and vowing to restore “respect” to U.S. foreign policy. He also promised to shut down the “open border” he blames for rising crime, pledging to protect the sovereignty, security, and dignity of American citizens. The former president reiterated his commitment to fight for his supporters, despite what he described as attempts by his political opponents to “slander” him and even “tried to kill me.”
A moment of silence was held for Corey Competore, the volunteer firefighter who was killed in the July shooting. Trump praised Competore as a “folk hero,” noting that his sacrifice would not be forgotten. The former president also extended his praise to Elon Musk, inviting him to the stage and emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election. Musk urged the crowd to register to vote, framing the election as a pivotal moment for the future of the country.
Tight Pennsylvania Race: Economy and Immigration Take Center Stage
With just 31 days until the election, Pennsylvania remains a critical battleground state. Polls show a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, with the latest data from the New York Times and Siena College indicating a near tie—49% for Harris and 48% for Donald Trump. As one of the most hotly contested states, Pennsylvania could be key to determining the outcome of the election.
Many Donald Trump supporters at the rally expressed concerns about the economy, particularly inflation, as their top issue. Jessenia Anderson, wearing a “Latinas for Donald Trump” shirt, spoke about the financial difficulties facing her family. “People can’t afford food. They can barely afford gas,” she said. Others, like rapper Sean Moon, a Tennessee voter attending his 15th consecutive Donald Trump rally, highlighted immigration as their primary concern. Moon, the son of a North Korean refugee, emphasized the dangers he sees in the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite recent drops in migrant crossings, he warned that the issue remained “an existential threat” to the country.
As the election draws near, Trump’s return to Butler and his powerful rally speech underscored his resolve to continue his fight for the presidency, despite the dangers he has faced.
