Speaking on the stage of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the night of Thursday, July 18, former President Donald Trump spoke about the horrifying attempt upon his life during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, saying that he felt safe despite the danger because he sees God as on his side.
His speech on that matter and others was highly anticipated because it marked his first formal remarks on the matter since the assassination attempt that occurred the weekend before. Trump didn’t disappoint, giving a barn burner of a speech and thanking the American people for their love and support following the horrifying incident.
Speaking about the assassination attempt, Trump said, in his characteristic way of giving speeches, “As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life. So many people have asked me, ‘What happened, please?’ and, therefore, I’ll tell you what happened.” He continued, saying that this is the only time he’ll speak about it because of the pain it brings him, “And you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s too painful to tell.”
Continuing, he described the day itself, saying, “It was a warm, beautiful day in the early evening in Butler Township in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” He went on to comment on the loud music, the huge and happy crowd, and what the speech was like. Then he got to speaking about the moment of the assassination attempt, describing how he leaned forward and turned to look at the display of a chart showing illegal border crossings.
Then came the gunshot, which Trump described by saying: “In order to see the chart, I started to, like this, turn to my right and was ready to begin a little bit further turn, which I’m very lucky I didn’t do, when I heard a loud whizzing sound and fell something hit me really, really hard on my right ear. I said to myself, ‘Wow what was that? It can only be a bullet.’”
He added that there was, “Just absolutely blood all over the place.” He then said, “I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack and, in one movement, proceeded to drop to the ground.” He went on to describe how the Secret Service agents shielded him with their bodies as bullets from the assassin’s gun whizzed above them.
But, though the situation was scary beyond belief and highly dangerous, Trump says he felt safe and secure because he knew that God was watching over all from above and was on his side. Trump said, speaking about feeling the Lord’s protection in the moment of danger, “There was blood pouring everywhere, and, yet, in a certain way, I felt very safe because I had God on my side.” He added that he is only here by the “Grace of Almighty God.”
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He added, commenting on the near-run thing his survival was and how the bullet surely would have hit him had he not moved his head at just that moment. He said, “The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at that very last instant the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit his mark. And I would not be here tonight; we would not be together.”
He also commended the crowd for not stampeding, saying, “Nobody ran, and by not stampeding, many lives were saved. But that isn’t the reason that they didn’t move. The reason is that they knew I was in very serious trouble; they saw they saw me go down. They saw the blood and thought, actually, most did, that I was dead.”
Trump also said, “Just a few short days ago, my journey with you nearly ended. And, yet, here we are tonight, all gathered together, talking about the future, promise, and renewal of America. We live in a world of miracles.” He continued, “But if the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it is that every single moment we have on earth is a gift from God”
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