Salena Zito Discusses Her Book on Trump’s Near Assassination

In her new book, “Butler: The Almost Assassination of Donald Trump and the Battle of America’s Heartland,” author and long-time New York Post contributor Salena Zito shares her firsthand experiences during a harrowing event on July 13th, when she found herself captured on film as President Trump faced an assassination attempt.

Zito is no stranger to the political landscape, having closely followed Trump’s unexpected rise. Her relationship with him brought a sense of warmth, underscored by shared family values. Just before taking the stage in Pennsylvania, Trump greeted Zito with friendly inquiries about her grandchildren, expressing his own joy about family. It was an intimate moment, one perhaps tinged with normalcy before the chaos that followed.

Shortly thereafter, country singer Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA,” evoking a classic display of Trump-era patriotism. But within moments, tragedy struck as Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight shots, narrowly missing the president and sending shockwaves across the nation.

“When I heard those initial gunshots, I felt a rush of responsibility to maintain my composure,” Zito recounts, offering a glimpse into the madness that unfolded that day.

She vividly recalls standing just yards away from Trump, with her daughter and son-in-law nearby. The day quickly turned dark when she initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks. “Why are there fireworks?” her daughter asked, unaware of the grim reality. Zito, a gun owner herself, understood but hoped against hope that danger wouldn’t be present.

As chaos erupted, Zito’s attention remained glued to the president. She witnessed him flinch, gripping his ear, a moment seared into her memory. Blood appeared on his face, and he collapsed behind the podium amidst the frenzy around him.

“Get off! Get off!” someone shouted. Zito felt a mix of disbelief and urgency, realizing the podium might not provide the safety they all hoped for. Her heart raced while the blue-clad Secret Service agents formed a protective barrier around Trump.

Michael, her son-in-law, reacted instinctively, tackling Shannon to the ground as the shots continued. Zito experienced further panic as chaos filled the air; she was pushed down, her face against the dirt, while a Secret Service agent shielded them.

“Are you okay?” the agent asked while attempting to steady his own trembling hands. In that moment, she noticed Trump’s bloodied face amid the flurry of agents. Time felt distorted—slow, yet urgent.

The crowd, oddly quiet at times, turned surreal. While some voices urged for action, others appeared composed, relaying tasks as they navigated the crisis. Yet, through the fear and confusion, Zito’s focus remained on the president.

The sound of various voices intermingling created an almost muffled soundtrack to the unfolding horror. Some agents prepared to move Trump to safety, while Zito absorbed the surreal scene around her. The unsettling mix of cheers from the crowd behind contrasted starkly with the chaos before her.

After what felt like an eternity, Trump began to emerge, calling out “America!” as he raised his fist in defiance, drawing cheers from the crowd. Zito felt both relief and fear; she was lying on the ground, watching instinctively as agents guided the president away.

Even though she had a direct view of the tumult, there was a strange calmness inside her. She recalls how, amidst the frenzy, shouting and confusion, she exchanged a glance with an agent standing over her, oddly feeling safe despite the rifle pointed in her direction.

As Trump passed by, blood still visible on his face, the scene was surreal. With her family protected beneath an agent, she couldn’t shake the gravity of what had just transpired. Eventually, he was ushered into a vehicle and whisked away.

Reflecting on the earlier part of the day, Zito chuckles at the irony of her intense worries about mundane matters, completely oblivious to the impending crisis.

“Are you okay?” Shannon asked again. Zito managed a laugh, a small release from the tension of the day. “Yeah, it’s fine. Do you remember how worried I was just about getting here on time?”

Excerpt from “Butler” by Salena Zito. (Copyright 2025) Hachette Book Group, Inc.