Donald J. Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday for a large rally at the venue where he was shot by a would-be assassin in July, an event that was a show of strength. , an event envisioned by Trump’s campaign as a memorial for Trump. A former volunteer fire chief who died during the attack.
His speech quickly went from a solemn memorial service for slain firefighter Corey Comperatore to a somewhat subdued, sanded-down version of standard attacks on his opponents, peppered with exaggerations and falsehoods. It changed. Trump praised his performance in the face of adversity and called out one of his biggest supporters, billionaire Elon Musk, who jumped up and down on stage.
The rally served a different purpose for Trump, who has been reeling from changes in the presidential race since the July 13 attack in Butler. It offered him an opportunity to seek some kind of fresh start after a series of critical elections. Just as the Republican convention in Milwaukee ended, events changed the shape of the contest.
The gathering’s production and program reflected the grandeur of the convention, with singers, family and friends serving as “character witnesses,” right down to the same opera singer who closed out the gathering in Milwaukee performing several songs. I was doing it.
President Biden announced he was withdrawing his 2024 bid three days after Trump’s nominating convention, dispelling all reports of the former president’s near-death experience and almost immediately resetting the race with a new, younger Democratic challenger. It was done.
So in Saturday’s Butler election, Trump sought to recapture the same spirit that enveloped him in Milwaukee, where he was leading the polls after being nominated for a third time just five days after the mass shooting.
The rally, which Mr. Trump intended to hold, featured tight security, a sprawling crowd and some anxiety as Mr. Trump faced the second test of his life since July.
At a rally where other speakers lamented the heated rhetoric on the campaign trail that led to violence, Trump appeared to focus on his own sense of victimhood, at one point admitting that he had also been accused of similar attempts on his life. He made a groundless suggestion that it may have been the work of someone else. He has repeatedly accused his political opponents of using impeachment and the criminal justice system.
Mr. Trump’s team spent much of the day using the rally to honor Mr. Comperatore, who died protecting his wife and daughters from gunfire during an assassination attempt in July. Mr. Comperatore’s fireman’s coat and helmet were placed in the stands behind the stage.
Many in the crowd were wearing T-shirts that read “Fight!” fight! fight! –Quoted from Trump, shortly after being grazed in the ear by a bullet in July. People waited in line for hours Saturday to participate in the day, visibly happy to be able to participate. It was.
Several speakers mentioned Mr. Comperatore, and early speakers offered dark reflections on the horrors that had occurred at the fairgrounds less than three months earlier. Trump met with Comperatore’s family before his speech and paid tribute to him at the beginning of the speech.
“Some people don’t die in vain. His legacy is incredible,” Trump said. Afterwards, he told thousands of supporters how excited he was to have Comperatore at the July rally.
“Corey had the best seat in the House,” Trump said. “And along the way, he said to his wife and family, ‘I’m telling you, he’s going to invite me on stage,'” Trump added. In three months’ time, he’ll be on stage in near-immortal status. ”
The effort to humanize Mr. Trump began midway through the day’s speaking program, with advisers furious that Mr. Biden had halted any momentum he might have had at the convention. Ta.
Sally Shelley, an EMT who treated Trump at Butler Memorial Hospital in July, was moved to tears by Trump’s reassurance to his family that they were okay after the shooting. he said.
Mr. Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, praised Mr. Trump’s return to Mr. Butler. Mocking Harris, he asked the audience which of them they would like to be involved in foreign affairs. “The one who fears interviews with friendly American media, or the one who stands up to two assassins and triumphantly returns to the very spot where he was shot?”
Two of Trump’s business friends, John Paulson and Steve Witkoff, testified. Trump’s son Eric and daughter-in-law Lara Trump then delivered speeches that included highlights from their remarks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Trump broke into a live performance of “God Bless the USA,” the typical walk-on music played at rallies, but also borrowed from the convention.
But Trump’s prepared speech before taking the stage was unique for one of his rallies, as he made a dramatic appearance on stage declaring, “As I said.” However, this is something he mentions when he feels something. As heard from him at the July 13 rally, his speech was mostly a fairly standard collection of rally remarks.
The most dynamic moment of Trump’s remarks was when he invited Musk to the stage. Minutes after the assassination attempt, the billionaire, who supported Trump, jumped on the microphone and complained about the lack of laws requiring voter identification, saying that if Trump doesn’t win, the November election will be held. “This will be the last election,” he warned ominously.
Trump has toned down some of the dark rhetoric that often characterizes the country, but he has frequently made exaggerated claims about immigration. At the beginning of his speech, he presented a diagram on the issue that he credits with saving his life in July. However, there is a very misleading aspect to this picture.
Mr. Trump also criticized Ms. Harris’ previous support for banning fracking, an issue her campaign hopes will energize voters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. He repeatedly debunked claims about election fraud and galvanized his base by talking about transgender athletes.
He then mocked Harris for not paying enough attention to those affected by Hurricane Helen, even though she was traveling to storm-hit North Carolina on Saturday.
Kate Kelly contributed reporting.
