Donald Trump vows to explore Mars during visit to site of assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania | US News

October 5, 2024 TruthUSA

Donald Trump has revisited the location in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he survived an assassination attempt – and began his speech with a joke.

“Thank you,” he said to a large crowd, estimated to be in the tens of thousands. “A big thank you. We love Pennsylvania, and, as I was saying…” – prompting cheers from the crowd.

He stated: “I return to Butler to convey a simple message… We will make America great again, we will win the election.”

Reflecting on the assassination attempt, Mr Trump mentioned that the gunman had tried to silence him and the MAGA movement.

He went on: “For 16 seconds, time stood still as this brutal monster unleashed pure evil. That villain did not succeed.”

Regarding his campaign for the presidency, he pledged to halve energy prices, promised significant tax cuts, and labeled his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, as highly left-leaning.

He also pledged to “reach Mars” before the end of his second term if he is re-elected and vowed “no men in women’s sports”.

As Mr Trump began his speech, the crowd started chanting “Corey”, in reference to firefighter Corey Comperatore, who lost his life shielding his family from the gunfire.

At 6.11pm, the time of the shots on 13 July, Mr Trump called for a moment of silence. A bell rang four times, once for each of the four victims, himself included.

Some in the crowd chanted “fight, fight, fight” – the same slogan Mr Trump used to rally his supporters moments after the shooting.

He later echoed the phrase himself, while his vice presidential candidate, JD Vance, stated that the former president “took a bullet for democracy”.

There was a moment of silence while a member of the crowd received medical attention – followed by a spontaneous rendition of the American national anthem.

Elon Musk, the mastermind behind Tesla and SpaceX, briefly took the stage and encouraged people to vote.

In an indirect reference to Joe Biden, he emphasized the importance of courage under fire and highlighted the significant choice between a presidential candidate who “couldn’t climb a flight of stairs” and another who shouted “fight, fight, fight”.

Furthermore, he argued that Mr Trump must win the upcoming presidential election “to preserve the constitution” and “to uphold democracy in America”.

“This is a critical situation,” stated Mr Musk.

Mr Trump returned to the Butler Farm Show grounds – where a bullet grazed his ear in July.

He was swiftly removed from the stage with blood running down his face, creating one of the most memorable images of this year’s campaign.

Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired shots from an unsecured rooftop before being fatally shot.

The motive behind the shooting remains unknown. The incident raised significant concerns about security lapses within the Secret Service.

Kimberly Cheatle, the Secret Service director, resigned less than two weeks following the shooting.

A second alleged attempt on Mr Trump’s life occurred last month when a gunman remained hidden for almost 12 hours at the former president’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, with intentions to assassinate him, according to prosecutors.

A Secret Service agent on patrol at the course prevented the alleged gunman from carrying out the attack.

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