Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Chip Somodevilla
On the final day of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, former President Donald Trump delivered a poignant acceptance speech for his GOP nomination. Surrounded by advisers, supporters, and family, Trump spent the first fifteen minutes of his ninety-minute address recounting an attempted assassination. Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Trump emphasized that it had only strengthened his resolve and called for national unity.
According to ABC News, Trump began his speech by addressing the incident, saying, “I’m not supposed to be here,” as the crowd responded with chants of “Yes, you are! Yes, you are!” Overcome with emotion, he continued, “Thank you…but I’m not, and I’ll tell you, I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of Almighty God.”
As reported by NPR, Trump expressed his gratitude to the American people: “Let me begin this evening by expressing my gratitude to the American people for your outpouring of love and support following the assassination attempt at my rally on Saturday. As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life. So many people have asked me, ‘What happened? Tell us what happened, please.’
And therefore, I will tell you exactly what happened. And you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s actually too painful to tell.” In a narrative style reminiscent of an Enid Blyton story, Trump recounted the details of that fateful day: “It was a warm, beautiful day in the early evening in Butler Township in the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Music was loudly playing, and the campaign was doing really well. I went to the stage and the crowd was cheering wildly. Everybody was happy. I began speaking, very strongly, powerfully, and happily because I was discussing the great job my administration did on immigration at the southern border. We were very proud of it.”
Describing the exact moment the bullet grazed him, Trump recalled, “Behind me and to the right was a large screen that was displaying a chart of border crossings under my leadership. The numbers were amazing. To see the chart, I started to…turn to my right and was ready to begin a little bit further, turn—which I’m very lucky I didn’t do—when I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really hard on my right ear.
I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet,’ and moved my right hand to my ear…My hand was covered with blood.” Trump continued, “It was just absolutely blood all over the place. I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack. And in one movement, proceeded to drop to the ground. Bullets were continuing to fly. I was very brave. Secret Service agents rushed to the stage…There was blood pouring everywhere. And yet…I felt very safe because I had God on my side. I felt that.”
In his closing remarks, Trump expressed profound gratitude: “The amazing thing is that before the shot if I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark. And I would not be here tonight. We would not be together. The most incredible aspect of what took place on that terrible evening in the fading sun was actually seen later.
For the rest of my life, I will be grateful for the love shown by that giant audience of patriots that stood bravely on that fateful evening in Pennsylvania.” Trump’s emotional recounting and call for unity resonated deeply with his audience, underscoring the gravity of the events and the resilience he draws from his supporters and faith.
