(Photo by Nicholas kamm for AFP)
During a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt that resulted in the tragic death of one spectator and left two others critically injured. The assailant fired multiple shots at the stage where Trump was speaking, with one bullet striking Trump in his right ear. He was quickly escorted offstage and later declared to be in stable condition, according to People.
In a leaked phone call with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump reflected on the harrowing experience, describing the sensation of being shot as “like the world’s largest mosquito.” The leaked video, posted by Bobby Kennedy III on social media, was later deleted, and Robert Kennedy Jr. apologized for its unintended release. Despite the incident, Trump maintained his characteristic bravado, recounting the event with a mix of humor and seriousness.
“Something wracked me. It felt like a giant — like the world’s largest mosquito,” Trump said, recalling the moment he was hit by the bullet. He also shared details about a phone call he received from President Joe Biden after the attack. Trump described Biden’s call as “very nice,” revealing that Biden asked, “How did you choose to move to the right?” Trump explained, “I was just showing a chart,” referring to a display of border crossings during his rally speech, as reported by ABC News.
At the Republican National Committee (RNC) speech following the attack, Trump reflected on how he narrowly avoided a fatal injury. “The amazing thing is that prior to 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,” he told the audience. He credited his survival to either luck or divine intervention, adding, “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here. I’m supposed to be dead. I’m not supposed to be here.”
Trump also praised the quick actions of his Secret Service detail, who immediately moved him to safety. Despite being shot, he expressed a desire to continue speaking at the rally but was advised against it due to security concerns, as reported by CBS News
Meanwhile, President Biden condemned the violence in a statement, saying, “There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence, ever. Period. No exceptions.” He called for a cooling of the increasingly heated political rhetoric in the country, urging Americans to “take responsibility” and work toward de-escalation.
