Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance took to the very stage where his running mate narrowly escaped death to admonish critics who have stirred up hostility toward former President Donald Trump.
Mr. Vance, 40, criticized Vice President Kamala Harris by name, claimed that their “inflammatory rhetoric” against Mr. Trump amounted to political violence, and criticized the media by name.
“Given the hate they spewed and President Trump, it was only a matter of time before someone tried to kill him,” Vance shouted to a packed room at the Butler Farm Show on Saturday. shouted.
Protected by bulletproof glass, Vance lamented how the onslaught against Trump, 78, has intensified despite the aftermath of two high-profile attempts on the former president's life.
“Even after a horrific assassination attempt that claimed one life and left many others dead, they continue to use dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric. They continue to call Donald Trump a threat to democracy,” Vance lamented.
The exact motive behind Matthew Thomas Crooks, 20, who was gunned down in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 remains somewhat unclear, as he was killed by a Secret Service sniper.
However, authorities were able to capture Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who attempted to carry out the second major assassination attempt on President Trump on September 15th. That gave authorities a clearer picture of his motives.
“In fact, before trying to kill Donald Trump, the Florida gunman wrote 'Democracy is on the ballot,' and this was just days before Kamala Harris was the first to be targeted.” Those were the exact same words he wrote after accusing him of being a dictator,'' Vance chided.
Mr. Vance admonished Ms. Harris for her remarks at the beginning of her speech, which was meant to calm the audience before Mr. Trump took the stage.
“I think you all join me in saying that to Kamala Harris, about the threat to our democracy. Donald Trump took a bullet for democracy. What the hell did he do? ” he said.
Vance also gave props to his running mate, noting that “President Trump immediately called for national unity despite the shooting here in Butler.”
Trump adjusted his speech at the Republican National Convention to call for unity, but as the 2024 campaign season progresses, the opposing sides resume their scathing broadsides at each other.
“I honestly believe that what happened here in Butler is a metaphor for the United States of America, where we may get knocked down, but we quickly get back up and keep fighting,” Vance said.
On July 13, a bullet sliced off Trump's right ear and he crouched as Secret Service agents piled on top of him to ensure his safety.
After the shots stopped, Trump stood up, blood pouring from his face, pumped his fist in the air and called on his supporters to “fight, fight, fight” before being removed.
Shortly after, Trump returned to the Butler Farm Show grounds and made it clear he intended to finish what he started.
“Nearly three months ago, in this very place, we thought President Trump would die. But just as God still has a plan for the United States of America, We also have plans for him,” Vance later added.
Saturday, which happens to be exactly one month after Election Day, will be President Trump's first return to Butler, Pennsylvania since the tragic shooting in July.
The newspaper exclusively revealed on Saturday that he has vowed to campaign “almost every day” through November 5.
