Nearly a year after the shocking assassination attempt that left the nation reeling, former President Donald Trump has finally broken his silence. In an emotional interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Fox News, he reflected on the harrowing July 13, 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania—an afternoon meant for celebration that swiftly descended into chaos.
It was a bright summer day, supporters chanting and waving flags as they awaited Trump’s arrival. Suddenly, gunfire erupted from a nearby rooftop. Twenty-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire, fatally wounding retired fire chief Corey Comperatore—a devoted Trump supporter who had come with his family—and injuring two others. In a matter of seconds, a highly trained Secret Service sniper neutralized the threat, but not before lives were forever changed.
Trump recounted the moment with a mix of bluntness and characteristic bravado. “It was unforgettable,” he said, forcing a half-smile. “I got whacked. One bullet hit me, another struck someone else, and one killed Corey—a great, great guy.” His tone softened immediately when he spoke of Comperatore: “He was there for me. He didn’t deserve that.”
In the aftermath, scrutiny fell heavily on security protocols. Trump didn’t hold back, criticizing lapses he described as “massive breakdowns” in communication and surveillance. “They had one job: secure the perimeter and check the buildings. They failed,” he declared. Six Secret Service agents, including the officer responsible for rooftop oversight, were suspended amid the fallout. The Comperatore family, mourning their loss, issued a raw statement: “Our blood is all over their hands.”
Just weeks later, another threat emerged at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club, when a man was spotted aiming a firearm through the fence. Again, swift Secret Service action prevented tragedy. Now serving as the 47th President, Trump said these incidents underscore the vulnerability of public life. “It makes you realize how fragile everything is,” he admitted. “That sniper saved countless lives—mine included.”
Beyond physical danger, Trump revealed the emotional scars the attempt left on him and his loved ones. Once projecting unshakeable confidence, he now insists on heightened security at every event and admits he’s constantly scanning his surroundings. Yet he insists this ordeal has only steeled his determination. “You have to keep going,” he asserted. “You can’t let fear win or let the bad guys win.”
As the anniversary of that day approaches, Trump’s survival and political resurgence stand as a testament to his resilience—and a stark reminder of the ever-present risks of American politics. Staring into the camera, he offered a final reflection: “We live in a tough world. You have to be strong, vigilant… and sometimes, you just have to thank God you’re still here.”
