Massive crowds of thousands of people began arriving early Saturday morning to the rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump is returning to hold a rally at the exact location where he survived an assassination attempt in July.
The 5 p.m. EST event at the Butler Farm Show marks the first time that Trump has returned to the location where he was shot by a 20-year-old would-be assassin on July 13 in what was a historic failure by the Secret Service.
The assailant was able to climb a rooftop barely over a hundred yards away from where Trump was speaking on stage and opened fire on with a clear line of site. One of the bullets pierced Trump’s ear, coming within fractions of an inch of ending his life.
Bright and early Saturday morning, thousands of people were already in line for the rally, according to various videos posted to social media.
10 HOURS before President Trump speaks and HUGE crowds are already lined up in Butler, PA! 🇺🇸@realDonaldTrump @JasonMillerinDC @TrumpWarRoom @DanScavino pic.twitter.com/isQ8B8Kwqi
— Vanessa Broussard (@VanessaBNews) October 5, 2024
Jondavid Longo, mayor of Slippery Rock, said that Trump’s return to the site was “a historic moment.”
“This is a moment and a time for healing,” he said. “It’s a time for unity. It’s a show of strength today, and we’re honored to have the president come back to Butler County.”
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Mayor of Slippery Rock, PA: “This is such a historic moment. Especially for those of us from Butler County. This is a moment and a time for healing. It’s a time for unity. It’s a show of strength today, and we’re honored to have the president come back to Butler County.” pic.twitter.com/r7yzF2eVxu
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 5, 2024
During the attempt on Trump’s life, a few people in the crowd were shot as they caught stray bullets that the shooter fired at the former president.
Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed during the shooting as he shielded his family.
Two others who were shot, 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, were both hospitalized with injuries, but have since been released.
While no official numbers have yet been released about the number of people who have gathered at the rally site, videos appear to show crowd sizes that have likely grown into the tens of thousands.
Seven hours ahead of when Trump is scheduled to speak, this is the line for his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, at the same venue where the assassination attempt in July took place pic.twitter.com/gkizBto4zm
— Kate Sullivan (@KateSullivanDC) October 5, 2024
Trump senior adviser Dan Scavino Jr. posted on social media that the rally would be a “big part of the healing process for those of us who were in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 when those shots rang out.”
“None of us ever expected to leave that site the way we did—ending up at a hospital in total shock with 45, praying,” he continued. “We all cannot wait to be there tomorrow, it is going to be a very special evening for all.”
Tomorrow will be a big part of the healing process for those of us who were in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 when those shots rang out. None of us ever expected to leave that site the way we did—ending up at a hospital in total shock with 45, praying. We all cannot wait… https://t.co/xibTdQBrBa
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) October 4, 2024
The Trump campaign also released video showing some who were standing line being interviewed who expressed their excitement to be at the event.
PA Voter: “I witnessed a miracle that day. God kept him alive to save our country.” pic.twitter.com/EqNZPnUqOi
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 5, 2024
PA Latino Voter: “Why do I support Trump? Because he’s going to be the greatest president to be. Because of the future of our children… Trump is THE MAN!” pic.twitter.com/tf8ggumEeq
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 5, 2024
Pennsylvania voter who was at the July 13th assassination attempt: “We have to finish what we started.” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TNlrhI14S9
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 5, 2024
Pete Hegseth: “I’ve been to a lot of Trump rallies. There’s Trump rallies and then there’s this one.” pic.twitter.com/g50gDaBoPO
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 5, 2024
