'Luck or God saved me,' Trump States

Monday 15 July 2024 - 11:15

In a gripping and emotional interview, former US President Donald Trump recounted the terrifying moments of an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump, expected to be the Republican Party's presidential candidate in the upcoming election, narrowly escaped death in the attack that claimed the life of one spectator and seriously injured two others.

Speaking to a conservative US media outlet, Trump expressed disbelief and gratitude, stating he "was supposed to be dead" but was saved by "luck or by God." The former president described the chilling moment when a bullet grazed his ear, emphasizing that it could easily have been fatal had he not turned his head at precisely the right moment.

"The most incredible thing was that I not only turned [my head] but did so at the exact right time and just enough," Trump said, visibly shaken by the ordeal.

The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by the Secret Service at the scene. Authorities are investigating whether Crooks had any accomplices. The attack also claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer fire chief who died while shielding his family.

In the aftermath, Trump spoke of the palpable energy from the crowd, acknowledging that the world was watching and that history would judge the moment. Instead of delivering the planned "humdinger" speech, Trump noted he would use the opportunity to "bring the country together."

"Had [Saturday's attack] not happened, this would've been one of the most incredible speeches," Trump said. "Honestly, it's going to be a whole different speech now. It is a chance to bring the country together."

President Joe Biden, in a televised address, condemned the attack and called for lowering the "temperature of politics," emphasizing that in America, differences are resolved at the ballot box, "not with bullets."

Trump's harrowing account of his near-death experience has undoubtedly shaken the nation, serving as a stark reminder of the growing polarization and volatility in the country's political landscape. As the former president prepares to take the stage at the upcoming Republican National Convention, the focus will now shift to his message of unity and healing in the face of such a traumatic event.