Time seemed to stand still, Trump remarked at the scene of the assassination attempt.
Former President Donald Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, nearly three months after surviving an assassination attempt, pledging victory to his supporters in the upcoming presidential election on November 5.
One person, a volunteer fire chief, was killed in the shooting on 13 July. Two bystanders were seriously wounded, and Trump was shot in the ear.
For Saturday’s rally, security was tight. This was a result of increased scrutiny of the Secret Service following two attempts on Trump’s life, the second of which occurred last month.
Also in attendance were Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, as well as son Eric Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who endorsed Trump after the earlier shooting.
Trump stuck to familiar talking points in his speech, railing against the “corrupt system”, promising to bring “respect” back to US foreign policy, and vowing to shut the “open border” which he claims is a source of crime.
“You deserve a government that protects and respects its own citizens, and defends your sovereignty, your security, your dignity, and your freedom,” he told the crowd to large applause.
He also accused his political opponents of “slandering” him and trying to interfere in the election and even suggested they may have tried to kill him.
“I’ve never stopped fighting for you,” he added. “I never will.”
Trump repeatedly referred to the previous shooting, and the event included a moment of silence for Corey Competore, the firefighter who was killed in the July shooting.
“He has become somewhat of a folk hero,” Trump added. “Our beautiful Corey.”
The former president had effusive praise for Elon Musk and made a special effort to invite him to the stage.
The tech billionaire told the crowd that he believed this to be “the most important election of our lifetime” and urged voters to register and elect Trump.
Around 25,000 to 30,000 people were anticipated to attend the rally, causing significant traffic congestion in the rural town of Butler throughout Saturday. Many individuals waited up to 10 hours in the harsh sun to gain entry, passing by numerous vendors selling Trump/Vance campaign merchandise, including flags, hats, signs, and orange wigs resembling the former president.
“I admire his willingness to return here and deliver the speech he was denied last time,” said Teresa Wilson, a former US Marine who also attended the previous rally on 13 July.
“I’d understand if he avoided coming back. I know some spectators who didn’t want to return, and some who were very apprehensive,” she added. “If he can stand in the place of the previous attempt, then we, as his constituency, can certainly show up to offer our support.”
With only 31 days left until the American election, polls indicate a close race between Trump and Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, a fiercely contested battleground state.
For example, data from the New York Times and Siena shows a near tie, with Harris at 49% and the opponent at 48%.
In multiple interviews with supporters at the rally, most cited the economy – especially inflation – as their primary concern leading up to the election.
“We’re not being taken care of. People can’t afford food. They can barely afford gas (petrol),” said Jessenia Anderson, a Pennsylvania voter who was at the rally wearing a red “Latinas for Trump” T-shirt. “I have a family, but I find myself making cheaper meals, buying cheaper things.”
Others, such as rapper Sean Moon, a Tennessee voter, pointed to the US-Mexico border and immigration as the primary reasons for supporting the former president.
“That’s an existential threat for this country,” said Mr. Moon, the son of a North Korean refugee. He mentioned that the event in Butler was his 15th consecutive Trump rally.
“People are arriving without being vetted. They lie and get rewarded. This is not helping North Carolina or Maui,” he added, referring to Hurricane Helene and last year’s wildfires in Hawaii.
