BUTLER, Pa. — Donald Trump made his return to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds on Saturday, where he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in July. The rally attracted a large crowd, emphasizing Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in the upcoming November elections.
The former president began his speech by recalling the events from July, commenting, “As I was saying,” as he referenced an immigration chart visible when the shooting occurred.
With just 30 days until the elections and early voting already underway in some areas, the Trump campaign aimed to create a powerful impact. Musician Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA,” a staple at Trump’s rallies, while billionaire Elon Musk made his first appearance at a Trump event.
“We fought together. We have endured together. We have pushed onward together,” Trump told his supporters. “And right here in Pennsylvania, we have bled together.”
To secure victory in Pennsylvania, Trump needs strong voter turnout in conservative areas like Butler County. His opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, is also actively campaigning in the region, making it a crucial battleground.
The rally began with Trump calling for a moment of silence to honor firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed while protecting family members from gunfire. Opera singer Christopher Macchio followed this with a performance of “Ave Maria” at the same time the shots were fired on July 13.
Trump addressed the crowd from behind protective glass on-stage, referring to the would-be assassin as “a vicious monster.” He emphasized that the attempt failed “by the hand of providence and the grace of God.” Security was notably increased, with armed law enforcement visible on roofs.
One of the event’s key moments included Musk enthusiastically joining Trump on stage, praised by Trump as a “great gentleman” who “saved free speech.” Musk declared, “President Trump must win to preserve the Constitution. He must win to preserve democracy in America.”
Earlier in the day, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, condemned Democrats who label Trump “a threat to democracy,” calling such rhetoric “inflammatory.” He recounted the events of the day of the shooting, expressing his belief that Trump’s survival was a miracle.
Crowds began to gather early, and the venue quickly filled with supporters. Many attendees arrived the day before, with local accommodations at capacity.
During Trump’s address, he took a moment to remember the victims from the July shooting and acknowledged the injuries suffered by two attendees. The gunfire incident involved 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who opened fire from a nearby rooftop.
Questions linger about how Crooks was able to evade law enforcement and position himself within shooting distance of Trump. The Butler County District Attorney assured that safety measures are being reinforced for future events.
The county is a Republican stronghold, where Trump secured about 66% of the vote in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Approximately 57% of registered voters in Butler County are Republicans.
Local residents expressed mixed reactions to Trump’s return. Some, like Chris Harpster, felt reassured by heightened security and planned to support Trump again based on his positions on key issues. Others voiced concerns over the rally inflaming political tensions.
Despite fears among some residents, attendees such as Terri Palmquist expressed confidence in supporting Trump’s candidacy, stating, “I just figure we need to not let fear control us.”
