Trump offers first interview since tried assassination
- Trump is speaking publicly for the first time after a would-be assassination
- He revealed the moment where he did something that may have saved his life
- Trump also gave the meaning behind the now-iconic fist pump photo
Donald Trump has given his first in-depth interview after surviving an assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally Saturday.
Trump revealed how turning his head away from the crowd to look at a video scream may have saved his life at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally.
He said Sunday: ‘I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?’
Trump turned his head at the vital moment and ended up with a bloody ear. He was hustled off stage by his Secret Service detail, but not before giving his supporters a clenched fist salute.
He added that the ‘reality is just setting in’ with him regarding the shooting and the chaotic aftermath.
Donald Trump is speaking publicly for the first time after a would-be assassin fired from an AR-15 rifle at his Pennsylvania rally Saturday
Trump, pictured on Sunday arriving at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, is set to rewrite his speech
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old would-be assassin who shot Donald Trump, opened fire at the former president with an AR-style rifle from a roof 130 yards from the rally stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday at 6.15pm.
The former president also addressed the now-iconic moment where he raised his fist and mouthed ‘fight’ to the stunned audience.
He said he wanted his fans to know he was alright ‘and that America goes on, we go forward, that we are strong.’
‘The energy coming from the people there in that moment, they just stood there; it’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I knew the world was looking. I knew that history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are OK,’ Trump added.
He spoke to journalist Salena Zito, who was photographed at the rally following the gunfire, hiding behind a speaker.
Zito said that Trump reached out to her on CNN Sunday, where they began an interview about the shooting, his reaction and his plans for his speech on Thursday at the RNC.
‘The speech I was going to give on Thursday was going to be a humdinger,’ he told the Washington Examiner.
‘Had this not happened, this would’ve been one of the most incredible speeches aimed mostly at the policies of President Joe Biden.
Trump spoke to journalist Salena Zito, who was photographed at the rally following the gunfire, hiding behind a speaker
‘Honestly, it’s going to be a whole different speech now,’ he added.
Trump, who has often cut a divisive figure in American politics, now plans a Thursday speech that could unite the nation.
‘It is a chance to bring the country together. I was given that chance. This is a chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together. The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would’ve been two days ago,’ he said.
A member of the crowd was killed in the deadly shooting, while two others who were wounded are in critical condition. All three are males, according to law enforcement officials.
Trump was left bloodied and hurt during the assassination attempt as he was seen to suddenly grab hold of his ear as loud bangs rang out and whizzed by before he ducked to the floor.
The Secret Service swarmed around the 45th US President as piercing screams were heard from the MAGA crowd.
He then got to his feet with blood pouring down his cheek and raised his fist in the air and defiantly shouted ‘fight’ while the audience shouted ‘USA’ as he was dragged off stage and bundled into a vehicle.
Secret Service agents could be heard shouting ‘the shooter is down’ in the ensuing chaos and the gunman was later confirmed dead.
Trump is also re-thinking his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week
A member of the crowd was killed in the deadly shooting, while two others who were wounded are in critical condition. All three are males, according to law enforcement officials
Trump was taken to hospital for treatment before being later released.
Spokesman Steven Cheung said Trump is ‘fine’ and being checked out at a local medical facility while the former president’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr said his father ‘is in great spirits’.
Trump flew back to New Jersey ahead of his spending the night at his golf resort in Bedminster.
In a post to his Truth Social network, Trump thanked the Secret Service and other law enforcement ‘for their rapid response’.
‘I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,’ he said on social media.
‘Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.
‘I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of law enforcement, for their rapid response,’ Trump added.
‘Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
Donald Trump appeared to be shot in the ear as shots were fired at the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania
Trump is seen surrounded by Secret Service agents in the moments after the shooting. He raised his fist to indicate that he was okay in an image that has since swept the globe
‘It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.
‘GOD BLESS AMERICA!’
President Biden said in a statement that Americans ‘must unite as one nation’ in response to the horrific scenes.
