In his first interview following the harrowing assassination attempt at his rally in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump has revealed the pivotal moment that he believes saved his life.
“I’m supposed to be dead,” Trump told the New York Post, reflecting on how a quick turn of his head may have spared him from a fatal shot.
During the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the former US President recounted how he turned away from the crowd to glance at a video screen. This seemingly inconsequential movement, he asserts, protected him from the bullet fired by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks. “I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?”
Elaborating on the critical seconds, Trump explained he had turned slightly to the right to read a chart on illegal immigrants. “The most incredible thing was that I happened to not only turn but to turn at the exact right time and in just the right amount,” he said, attributing his survival to “luck or God.”
Describing the immediate aftermath, Trump recalled being swiftly escorted off stage by the Secret Service, but not before he managed to raise his fist in a defiant gesture to his supporters. “A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen,” Trump commented. “They’re right, and I didn’t die. Usually, you have to die to have an iconic picture.”
Trump stressed the importance of reassuring his supporters of his well-being. “I wanted my fans to know I was okay and that America goes on, we go forward, that we are strong.”
The former President also praised the 55,000 strong crowd at the rally for remaining calm.
“A lot of places, especially soccer games, you hear a single shot, everybody runs. Here there were many shots and they stayed. I love them. They are such great people.”
On his flight to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, Trump insisted on walking off the stage unaided, rejecting the notion of being carried out. “I did not want to be carried out. I’ve seen people being carried out, and it’s not good. And I had no problem with walking.”
Amidst the chaos, Trump humorously recounted how his shoes fell off due to the force with which the agents tackled him. Ever the showman, he admitted he had wanted to continue speaking despite being shot.
After being treated at a hospital and subsequently released, Trump expressed his gratitude for the rapid response of the Secret Service and offered condolences to the shooting victims.
In the wake of the incident, Trump commended the Secret Service for their swift and effective response. “They did a fantastic job. It’s surreal for all of us.”
Mr Trump has said he now planning a more unifying speech for the Republican National Convention, aiming to bring the country together in the wake of his assassination attempt.
Regarding the Presidential election later this year, Trump told the New York Post he is confident he’s on a path to victory.
Photo: Former President of the United States Donald Trump. Photo by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed | Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
