Former President Trump returned to the scene of the assassination attempt in July on Saturday, holding a rally with thousands of supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania, to remember those killed that day.
Trump has said he feels an “obligation” to return to Butler, who was joined on Saturday by several high-profile guests and allies, including Elon Musk.
Here are five takeaways from the event.
President Trump returns to scene of assassination attempt
Mr. Trump's return to Mr. Butler had been long anticipated in the days following the July 13 mass shooting that forever changed the presidential campaign.
During the event, just minutes after President Trump took the stage, a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. A bullet struck the former president in the ear, injuring multiple protesters and killing one rally attendee.
On Saturday, President Trump stood behind bulletproof glass. Snipers and Secret Service personnel were also seen around the venue. Participants also held signs that read “Fight, Fight, Fight” in honor of Trump's words after he was injured in July.
The former president began his speech by thanking Pennsylvania, telling the crowd, “It's just like I said.”
“Tonight, I return to Butler in the aftermath of tragedy and heartache to share a simple message with the people of Pennsylvania and the people of America: Our movement to Make America Great Again is stronger than ever. “We stand stronger, prouder, more united, more determined, and closer than ever to victory,” President Trump said.
In memory of the victims of July
President Trump recognized those injured in the July 13 shooting and Corey Comperatore, who died in the assassination attempt.
“Cory isn't with us tonight and he's supposed to be. I have to say he's become kind of a national hero,” Trump said.
At 6:11 p.m., President Trump said, “It's been 12 weeks since the shooting started.” He asked for a moment of silence. A bell rang and a singer on stage played “Ave Maria.”
The former president met with Comperatore's family before the rally, and some of the family members were present during the speech. The area where Mr. Comperatore sat on July 13 was erected Saturday with a memorial featuring his old firefighter jacket.
He also recognized David Dutch and Jim Copenhaver, who were injured in the shooting. A nurse who treated Trump at a local hospital in July spoke earlier in the day, as did Rep. Ronnie Jackson (R-Texas), who oversaw Trump's medical care in the days after the shooting. I was present.
Mr. Musk will also be on stage with Mr. Trump.
Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla and social media company X, made a rare appearance on the campaign trail, joining Trump on stage during a rally.
“The true test of a person's character is how they conduct themselves under gunfire. There were presidents who couldn't walk up the stairs, and there were presidents who were fist-pumping even after being shot,” Mask said. He said this while mocking President Biden.
Musk, who supported the former president on the day he was shot in July, lambasted Democrats in remarks Saturday, claiming they were “trying to take away our free speech and our right to bear arms.” They are effectively trying to take away your right to vote. ”
He also predicted, without evidence, that if Democrats win, November could be the country's last election.
Democrats are pushing to expand the Voting Rights Act, but Republicans say their rivals are trying to make it easier for non-citizens to vote. There is little evidence that large numbers of noncitizens vote.
Democrats have sought to enact stricter gun laws in response to years of mass shootings in schools, workplaces and places of worship in the United States.
But Vice President Harris, the party's presidential candidate, has been adamant that she has no intention of taking away firearms from gun owners.
Trump draws large crowds to key states
Saturday's crowd was comparable in size to Trump's previous rallies, with tens of thousands of people lining up at Butler to watch the former president speak.
Crowd size isn't a perfect indicator of a candidate's performance at the polls, but enthusiasm is key for Trump in states he acknowledges could decide the winner of November's election. There is a possibility that
“If we win Pennsylvania, we win everything. We win everything,” Trump said.
“Twelve weeks ago, we all took a bullet for America. All we ask is for everyone to go out and vote. We must win. ” he added.
Trump and his campaign have spent a lot of time in Pennsylvania. In recognition of its importance, President Trump will return to the Commonwealth on Wednesday to participate in two rallies in Scranton and Reading.
Harris leads Trump by less than 1 percentage point in Pennsylvania, according to an average of Decision Desk and The Hill polls.
Close game in the homestretch
Mr. Trump returned to Mr. Butler in a much different political position than when Mr. Butler was last seen.
The July 13 shooting occurred just as President Trump appeared to be on track to win the White House in November. He leads Biden in polls, and the assassination attempt only strengthened support for Republicans, leaving Democrats at a disadvantage.
Since then, Mr. Biden has dropped out of the race and Vice President Harris has energized the Democratic Party, raked in money and delivered strong debate performances that erased Mr. Trump's lead in the polls.
Trump and Musk have both repeatedly urged people to make sure they register to vote, especially as deadlines approach in states like Georgia and Arizona.
“We're all here having fun tonight, but if you don't register and don't vote, you're going to consider this another great day in your life,” Trump said.
Opinion polls show the race between Trump and Harris is close in key battleground states, with about four weeks remaining until Election Day.
According to an average of polls from Decision Desk and The Hill, Ms. Harris has a narrow lead in the battleground states of Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and Mr. Trump has a narrow lead in Arizona and Georgia. are.
