‘I Was Saved by Luck or God,’ Trump Says After Assassination Attempt

Former US President Donald Trump has expressed his belief that he survived an assassination attempt “by luck or by God.” Reflecting on the incident at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump told conservative media that he was fortunate to be alive after a bullet grazed his ear.

“The most incredible thing was that I happened to not only turn [my head] but to turn at the exact right time and in just the right amount,” Trump recounted, emphasizing how close he came to death. “I’m supposed to be dead, I’m not supposed to be here.”

The attack resulted in the death of one spectator and serious injuries to two others. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service agents. Trump described the moment he realized he had been shot and the crowd’s reaction. “The energy coming from the people there in that moment, they just stood there. It’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I knew the world was looking. I knew that history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are OK,” he told the Washington Examiner.

As Trump prepared to leave for the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he is expected to be confirmed as the party’s presidential candidate, he acknowledged that the incident had profoundly impacted him. He revealed that his planned speech, originally aimed at criticizing President Joe Biden’s policies, would now focus on unity. “Had [Saturday’s attack] not happened, this would’ve been one of the most incredible speeches. Honestly, it’s going to be a whole different speech now. It is a chance to bring the country together.”

Earlier, Trump posted on Truth Social that he initially planned to delay his trip to Wisconsin but decided against it, stating, “I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling.” He affirmed that the assassination attempt “has had an impact” on him.

The motivation behind Crooks’ actions remains unclear. The FBI has indicated that Crooks likely acted alone but is continuing to investigate whether he had any assistance. The deceased spectator was identified as Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer fire chief who died protecting his family.

In the wake of the attack, President Biden called for a de-escalation of political tensions. “We cannot, must not, go down this road again. We’ve traveled it before in our history,” Biden said, citing recent instances of political violence in the US. “In America, we resolve our differences at the ballot box,” he added. “At the ballot box. Not with bullets.”