Last Saturday, October 5th 2024, Former President Trump made a comeback at the Butler Farm in Pennsylvania, the same location where, almost three months ago, a young shooter opened fire during the rally wounding the former president in the ear, as well as killing one attendee and injuring two others.
“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,” Trump remarked during his speech, making one of several references to his near-death experience at the rally.
Compared to the last time, Trump held his rally behind clear security panels, following strict Secret Service protocols; he then honored Corey Comperatore, fatally shot during a July rally, with a moment of silence. Trump also expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service and health workers who presided during the assault.
The former president’s son Eric Trump himself launched a harsh attack toward the Democrats, accusing them as the real perpetrators of the attack stating: “They tried to kill him, they can’t do anything right”. He went on to hyperbolize that “they tried to get my father every single day…from the time he went to the golden escalator,” clearly implying not only that the Democrats were behind the shooting in Butler, but that it wasn’t the only time they attempted to murder Donald Trump.
Elon Musk made an unusual appearance at the rally, praising Trump’s courage. The billionaire entrepreneur remarked: “The real test of a person’s character is how they react under fire.” He then drew comparisons between presidents, noting, “We’ve had one president who couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs and another who pounded his fists after being shot”.
Lastly, he repeatedly made a plea to all electors to register to vote in “the most important election of our lifetime”.
In addition to referencing the July shooting, Trump’s speech covered his usual themes, such as ending illegal immigration and the importance of fossil fuels to the U.S. economy, declaring, “We’re gonna drill, baby, we’re gonna drill!” He also reiterated his plan to return the country to being a “manufacturing superpower”. Twice during the speech, Trump addressed his proposal to “keep men out of women’s sports,” claiming it is “so demeaning to women”.
