An undaunted former President Donald Trump returned Saturday to a hero’s welcome at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania to finally finish the rally where he came within a quarter inch of death 12 weeks ago.
“A very big thank you to Pennsylvania. We love Pennsylvania, and as I was saying —,” Trump quipped to thunderous applause while standing in front of bulletproof glass at the exact spot where he was shot nearly three months ago.
“Tonight, I return to Butler in the aftermath of tragedy and heartache to deliver a simple message to the people of Pennsylvania and to the people of America.
“Our movement to make America great again stands stronger, prouder, more united, more determined and nearer to victory than ever before.”
Flanked by top MAGA stars, Trump hoped to galvanize his supporters in the crucial battleground state and transform the tragic memory of July 13 into a message of resilience, proving that he and his movement are more alive than ever, even as security concerns loom large.
Supporters flocked to the show grounds hours before Trump’s arrival — with tens of thousands turning out on the chilly October night.
“I will never quit, I will never bend, I will never break, I will never yield — not even in the face of death itself,” an energized Trump proclaimed to the hopeful crowd.
“We have fought together. We have endured together. We have pushed onward together. And right here in Pennsylvania, we have bled together.”
Trump commenced his speech by rattling off a bevy of thank yous, conveying gratitude to all the first responders who lept into action when bullets started flying on July 13.
Chants of “Corey” broke out from the audience at one point in tribute to firefighter Corey Comperatore, 50, who was struck by would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks’ errant bullets while attempting to shield his wife and daughters from the gunfire.
“Exactly 12 weeks ago … on this very ground, a cold-blooded assassin aimed to silence me and to silence the greatest movement,” Trump recounted. “For 16 harrowing seconds during the gunfire, time stopped as this vicious monster unleashed pure evil from his sniper’s perch.
“But by the hand of Providence and the grace of God, that villain did not succeed in his goal. Did not come close. He did not stop our movement. He did not break out our spirit.”
CHILLS: Donald Trump asks for a moment of silence at 6:11, the time shots rang out, as ‘Ave Maria’ is sung 🙏🏻 God Bless America!! https://t.co/NdiuLxeSpP pic.twitter.com/MOoCppWaHa
— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) October 6, 2024
“To Helen and the entire family, I can only begin to imagine the depths of your grief,” Trump said to his widow, Helen Comperatore. “I know he’s looking down on us right now from heaven, smiling at his beloved wife.”
Earlier in the day, Trump had hugged and consoled the Comperatore family ahead of his return to Butler.
The former president also took note of David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, who were wounded by gunfire during the July 13 assassination attempt.
“They weren’t supposed to make it. I wasn’t supposed to make it,” he reflected, recalling how someone joked he should buy a lottery ticket.
Key guests at the rally included the Comperatore family, GOP vice presidential nominee and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, former first son Eric Trump and his wife and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, and tech mogul Elon Musk.
“We’re going to make a new memory in Butler, Pa. And this will mark the moment that this election was won for Donald J. Trump. Let’s send him back to the White House,” daughter-in-law Lara Trump proclaimed during her remarks before the 45th president took the stage.
While Trump’s return to Butler was mercifully devoid of any major security snafus, his remarks were interrupted at one point by an apparent medical emergency in the crowd. Trump paused briefly as first responders addressed the situation, and the audience sang the national anthem before the individual was carried out on a stretcher.
It wasn’t all remorse and somber reflection during Trump’s return. The former president also dusted off his greatest hits of go-to policy riffs, addressing the economy, tax policy, the border, manufacturing, fracking, election integrity and more. Trump also lamented the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
At one point, the 78-year-old former president welcomed Musk to the stage, who issued an ominous warning about the stakes of the election.
“President Trump must win to preserve the Constitution. He must win to preserve democracy in America,” Musk stressed, while donning a “dark MAGA” hat and imploring rallygoers to vote.
After about an hour and a half of remarks, Trump finally got his proper ending in Butler, wrapping up with his signature rallying cry to “Make America Great Again” and dance to “YMCA.” Macchio then gave another performance to conclude the night.
Nearly three months ago, Trump’s rally in Butler had ended in horror.
With blood dripping down his face, Trump iconically pumped his fist up in defiance and urged his supporters to “fight, fight, fight” as the Secret Service whisked him away.
The would-be assassin’s bullet clipped his right ear, with Trump saved by a slight turn of his head as he spoke.
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