Trump returns to site of failed assassination
The world’s richest person made a wild appearance at Trump’s campaign rally at the site of his attempted assassination.
World
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Donald Trump supporters have gathered for another rally where an assassin’s bullet narrowly missed killing him in July, upending a White House race still clouded by the threat of political violence.
Trump’s defiant and much-hyped return to Butler, Pennsylvania, comes exactly one month before the November 5 presidential election, the outcome of which President Joe Biden suggested on Friday might not be peaceful.
Security was noticeably tighter this time, with sniper squads positioned on several surrounding buildings, and a surveillance drone deployed overhead.
World’s richest person’s wild Trump move
Elon Musk made a surprise appearance in Butler to praise the former president, wearing what he called a “dark MAGA” hat.
In footage he could be seen wildly jumping up and down on the stage after being introduced my Mr Trump, and the tech billionaire shook the former president’s hand before launching into a speech.
“The true test of someone’s character is how they behave under fire,” said Musk commending his friend for “fist-pumping after being shot”.
“President Trump must win to preserve the constitution, he must win to preserve democracy in America,” he added. “This is a must-win situation.”
Trump calls out ‘evil monster’
Trump spoke about the attempt on his life and described the gunman as a “monster”.
“Exactly 12 weeks ago this evening, on this very ground, a cold-blooded assassin aimed to silence me and to silence the greatest movement – MAGA – in the history of our country,” Mr Trump told the crowd.
“For 16 harrowing seconds during the gunfire, time stopped as this viscious monster unleashed pure evil from his sniper’s perch.
“By the grace of god, that villian did not succeed in his goal. He did not stop our movement, he did not break our spirit.
“He did not shake our unyielding resolve to save America from the evils of poverty, hatred and disruption.”
Mr Trump added that there was a “big crowd” at the rally and said his supporters were getting together in “record numbers”.
Worried crowd
Some in the crowd were concerned about another attempt on Mr Trump’s life.
“There’s a lot going on that’s unnerving,” said Heather Hughes, 43, who had travelled from New Castle in must-win Pennsylvania.
“Do I think he’s safe? No, I think there’s going to be another attempt. But I think he’s going to make it through.”
Trump was riding a clear poll lead after crushing Biden in a TV debate in late June, and entered the Republican convention in Milwaukee as a political martyr.
Pictures of Trump with a blood-streaked face, pumping his fist and shouting “fight, fight, fight” as he was bundled away by Secret Service agents, became defining images of the campaign.
On Saturday, many Trump supporters wore shirts emblazoned with assassination iconography, with some sporting ear coverings recalling the bandage the former president wore after the shooting.
The rally appears aimed at recovering that momentum as a bruising campaign enters its final stretch. Trump is bringing along running mate J.D. Vance, and iconoclastic billionaire Elon Musk said on his X platform that he too would be addressing the crowd.
Much has changed since Trump’s last visit.
Barely a week after the failed assassination bid, the presidential race was turned on its head when Biden dropped out and was replaced as the Democratic nominee by Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Harris campaign has clawed back the poll deficit - reversing it in some states - and the seismic events in Butler were largely overtaken.
Trump has sought to revive the incident, billing his return to the place where he “took a bullet for democracy.”
Harris in the meantime travelled to North Carolina to meet Saturday with first responders and people hit by Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 220 people as it ripped through the southeast.
Trump has criticised the federal response, alleging without evidence that the Biden-Harris administration wrongly redirected relief funds to migrants.
Protective glass
Trump will speak behind protective glass on Saturday - a stark reminder of persistent security fears, underscored when another attempt on Trump’s life was foiled last month.
The spotlight will be on the Secret Service, pilloried for failing to secure the building a few hundred feet from where the Butler shooter managed to fire eight shots at Trump before being shot dead.
Ten days later the director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned. Along with Trump, two supporters were wounded and one - firefighter Corey Comperatore - was killed.
“Fight, fight, fight,” rally-goers chanted Saturday, echoing Trump’s post-shooting call, as they waited for their political idol.
“He said he’d come back to finish his speech, and to me (that takes) guts,” said Robert Dupain, 53, a local construction worker who was at the July rally.
Trump and his campaign have turned on their head the Democrats’ warnings about the former president representing a threat to democracy.
“The Republicans aren’t violent... I think they (the Democrats) incite. They keep talking about Hitler and the end of democracy,” said retiree Glen Scheirer, who was with five relatives wearing identical “By the grace of God” T-shirts showing Trump after the shooting.
In the immediate aftermath of the Butler incident, all sides urged a lowering of the political temperature.
But Trump in particular quickly reverted to the inflammatory rhetoric and personal attacks that are his signature, and he has refused to commit to accepting the eventual result in November.
He has also been indicted over the effort to subvert the 2020 election that culminated in his supporters storming the Capitol.
Asked on Friday about the possibility of further election-related violence, Biden said he did not know if the vote would be peaceful.
Rally-goer Heather Hughes said she fears there could be more assassination attempts.
“I think (Trump’s opponents) want rid of him,” she said, “because they know he’s gonna make a better America.”
Originally published as Trump returns to site of failed assassination
Horror as protester sets himself on fire
A protester who works in the media has lit himself on fire during an anti-Israel protest in the US, disturbing video shows.
Read more
A year since October 7, what has happened to Australia?
As protests around the world mark a year since the October 7 attack on Israel, US correspondent Tom Minear says he does not recognise how Australia has changed since then.
Read more
‘440’: Israel’s huge claim, major new strikes
Israel’s army chief has vowed to keep hitting Lebanon’s Hezbollah in a bid to do “continual damage... without respite” as the attacks on both sides escalate.
Read more
Chilling SOS before women vanished on trek
Fears are growing for a top British climber and her American friend who are missing up a 7000m mountain after their equipment fell down a gorge.
Read more
Israel insider confirms major Iran response
An Israeli official has anonymously confirmed the military is “preparing a response” to the Iranian missile barrage that targeted Israel earlier this week.
Read more
Last-minute seats for Aussies fleeing Lebanon
Thousands of Australians still stranded in Lebanon have been given a dire warning as the first charter flights leave the country.
Read more