Thousands of supporters returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday to rally around Donald Trump at the same spot where a gunman tried to kill him in July.
BUTLER, Pa. — Thousands of supporters returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday gather around Donald Trump in the same place where a shooter tried to kill him in July.
Many lined up at dawn for the event billed as a “tribute to the American spirit.” Picking up where he left off in July when a gunman’s bullet hit his ear, the former president and Republican nominee began his speech with, “Like I said,” and gestured to a immigration chart which he was looking at when the gunfire started.
There were countless references and tributes to it Corey Comperatorewho died during the July rally while shielding family members from gunfire. His firefighter jacket was on display surrounded by flowers, an artist created a patriotic rendition of the former fire chief live on stage, and Comperatore’s sisters wiped away tears as their brother was honored from the stage.
Trump asked for a moment of silence in Comperatore’s honor, and classical singer Christopher Macchio sang “Ave Maria” after a bell rang on July 13 just as the gunfire began.
Billionaire technology manager Elon Musk also spoke for the first time at a Trump rally, jumping and pumping his fists in the air as he took the stage.
A visibly increased security presence surrounded the site, with men in camouflage uniforms stationed on rooftops with large guns. The building from which the shooting took place in July was completely obscured by tractor-trailers, a large grassy fence and a fence with Trump’s image from the previous rally.