Trump tells thousands at Michigan rally he ‘took a bullet for democracy’
Donald Trump told a rally in Michigan that he “took a bullet for democracy” following last week’s assassination attempt on his life.
The rally, attended by thousands, marked Trump’s first appearance with his new running mate JD Vance and his first since surviving the attack. Speaking to a packed arena in Grand Rapids, Trump declared that Democrats have labeled him as “a threat to democracy” and, amid enthusiastic applause, expressed his determination to “take back the White House.”
An investigation is ongoing into the shooting, which left Trump with a wounded ear. Although he wore a prominent white bandage during the Republican National Convention, he was seen with a subtle flesh-toned plaster at the rally.
Originally scheduled to speak at 5:00 PM EST (9:00 PM GMT), Trump addressed the crowd much earlier. By 1:00 PM, a line extended about three miles (4.8 km) outside the 12,000-capacity Van Del Arena.
Many attendees, in the crucial battleground state of Michigan, told the BBC that the attack—which resulted in one audience member’s death and injuries to two others—did not deter their support for the Republican nominee. Some said the shooting motivated their attendance.
In contrast to the previous outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Grand Rapids event was held indoors, enhancing security and allowing for better control over entry and threats.
During his speech, Trump expressed gratitude to the “thousands and thousands” who came to see him “almost exactly” one week after the attempt on his life. He reiterated his belief that divine intervention spared him from death.
Wendy and Steve Upcott from Clarkston, Michigan, were among those who traveled from across the state to attend. Despite their daughter’s concerns for their safety following the attack, the couple felt compelled to support Trump in the wake of the incident.
“The chances of it happening again just one week to the day later is unlikely,” said Ms Upcott.
Them and many others in Grand Rapids were decked out in red Make America Great Again caps, along with cowboy hats, shirts and full outfits resembling the American flag. T-shirts with Trump’s mug shot were also for sale.
Laura Schultz said she thought about her safety on Saturday morning before she decided to come to the event with a friend.
“You can’t let fear stop you,” she said.
Other rally-goers, including several young adults, said the assassination attempt pushed them to attend the Michigan rally.
It was the first Trump campaign event for fellow Donald, a 24 year old from Grand Rapids, who wore a shirt with the viral image of Trump pumping his fist after being shot.
“This is the first event after the attempted assassination. I think it’s probably going to be the most important rally,” he said, declining to share his last name.
Donald said he had no fears for his own safety, because of the hundreds of police officers, including some on horseback.
But others said they remained scared for Trump.
“It should be a concern for most Americans that he is still not safe,” Ms Upcott said.
“He needs to be very careful,” said Ms Schultz.
Other supporters expressed outrage at the US Secret Service over the incident last week.
The agency has faced intense scrutiny after shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to take aim at Trump in Pennsylvania by climbing onto a roof of a building near the rally stage, even after rallygoers pointed him out to police.
Investigators have still yet to name a motive for the 20-year-old gunman who was later killed by Secret Service agents.
Since then, the country has become more attuned to possible threats to both presidential candidates. Police in Jupiter, Florida, on Friday arrested a man for allegedly posting threats to Trump on social media, while a different man from Florida was arrested a few days earlier for allegedly threatening President Joe Biden.
Saturday’s Michigan indoor event space was much easier to secure, with metal detectors and military personnel sweeping the whole building, said former Secret Service agent Jason Russell, who has worked on campaign events at the Grand Rapids arena.
“You’ll have a pretty, pretty significant number of agents on site,” Mr Russell said, adding that they would be able to keep Trump out of view until his entrance.
This was one of several campaign stops the former president has made to the key battleground state, as polls show him in a close race against Mr Biden.
The rally came on the heels of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump officially accepted his party’s presidential nomination and delivered his first public address since the assassination attempt.
It also marked the first time Trump appeared on the campaign trail with his vice-presidential pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Mr Biden, meanwhile, has had to pause campaign events after testing positive for Covid-19.
He continues to resist growing calls from members of his own party to drop out of the race due to concerns about his age and cognitive abilities.
Trump has for the most part stayed silent about Democrats’ drama, but on Saturday he told the crowd they have a “couple problems”.
“They don’t know who their candidate is, and neither do we,” he said.
On Saturday, the former White House physician, Dr Ronny Jackson, released a statement about his condition after having examined Trump.
The bullet created a 2cm-wide wound on Trump’s ear that extended down to the cartilage, Dr Jackson said, which is beginning to “heal properly.” No stitches had been needed, he added.
Trump’s campaign also announced that it plans to hold its next rally in Charlotte, North Carolina on 24 July at the Bojangles Coliseum.
