Former President Donald Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, yesterday to resume the speech he had begun in July, which was interrupted by an assassination attempt. He opened the emotional event by telling the crowd, “As I was saying,” picking up where he had left off.
During the July 13 rally, shots were fired as Trump was discussing immigration figures displayed on a chart. On Saturday, he told the crowd, “I love that chart. I love that graph,” as he completed the point he had been making when the incident occurred.
Trump then reflected on the harrowing day this past summer, when a gunman, Thomas Crooks, fired from a nearby rooftop. Trump led the crowd in a moment of silence in memory of Cory Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed while protecting his family. The solemn moment was accompanied by opera tenor Christopher Macchio’s rendition of “Ave Maria.”
“Tonight, I came back to Butler after a period of pain and loss, to deliver a clear message to Pennsylvania and to America,” Trump declared. “Our effort to make America great again is now stronger, prouder, more united, more determined, and closer to success than ever before.” He assured the audience that the MAGA movement transcends party lines and belongs to all Americans.
“We are going to lead the nation into a new era of safety, prosperity, sovereignty, and freedom for citizens of all races, religions, colors, and creeds,” Trump proclaimed.
Trump characterized the assassination attempt as a direct attack, stating, “A cold-blooded killer tried to silence me and the greatest movement in our country’s history, MAGA.”
“For 16 agonizing seconds, as gunshots rang out, time stood still while this evil figure carried out his heinous act from a sniper’s vantage point,” Trump said. “By the grace of God and the hand of providence, he failed in his mission. He didn’t even come close. He couldn’t stop our movement. He didn’t break our spirit or our determination to save America from the horrors of poverty, hatred, and ruin.”
He expressed deep appreciation for the Secret Service agents who sprang into action during the attack. “They threw themselves over me without hesitation, disregarding their own safety,” Trump said. “Their dedication to their duty is beyond words. And they did it again just a few weeks ago during another attempt. It’s a very evil world we live in, a very sick world. I’m eternally grateful to them.”
Trump also praised Butler County’s law enforcement, first responders, and medical teams from Butler Memorial Hospital and Allegheny General Hospital for their efforts in caring for those injured in the attack.
Speaking about Comperatore, Trump described him as a “folk hero” and noted that his family was present at the rally. “He was an outstanding husband and father, a committed Christian, a veteran, and a well-respected former fire chief. Everyone in town knew him. Few are willing to run into a burning building, but Corey was one of those rare individuals.”
Trump also paid tribute to David Dutch, 57, who was injured during the attack, along with James Copenhaver, 74, and other July 13 attendees and first responders who were present at the rally.
“It’s the love that Corey demonstrated that is bringing us together to save our country,” Trump remarked. “That same love will heal our nation and reunite us as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Several notable figures, including Elon Musk, the owner of X, joined Trump at the rally, and singer Lee Greenwood performed his iconic song, “God Bless the USA,” as Trump made his entrance.
Trump reiterated his mission to restore the nation, saying he is fighting to free the country “from a broken and deeply corrupt political system. Very corrupt. It has to change. We need a truly free and open press to return the country to the people. You deserve the country you believe in, the country we were born in. You deserve that. And in this mission, I will never give up. I will never bow. I will never break, and I will never back down—not even in the face of death.”
{Matzav.com}