by Sharon Rondeau
(Oct. 4, 2024) — On Friday morning, Liz Harrington, a spokeswoman for 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump, announced the former president will be speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, PA, the location of the first assassination attempt on July 13, on Saturday afternoon.
Trump sustained an injury to his right ear, narrowly missing death, while retired firefighter Corey Comperatore lost his life as a result of eight bullets fired from the would-be assassin’s gun from the roof of a nearby building. Two attendees, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were seriously injured but are currently recuperating out of the hospital.
The rally will be unusual in that it features dozens of “special guests,” including running-mate JD Vance, ten Pennsylvania sheriffs, nine members of Congress, a number of July 13 first responders, entrepreneur Elon Musk, the surviving members of Comperatore’s family, Dutch and others.
In the aftermath of the shooting, which the U.S. Secret Service deemed a “failure” on its part, Copenhaver provided a video of Thomas Matthew Crooks positioning himself on the roof of the AGR International building approximately 130 feet from the podium at which Trump had begun to speak on that hot summer day.
Almost immediately after receiving medical treatment for his injury, Trump launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the other victims with medical bills and related expenses which to date has raised in excess of $6.6 million.
Earlier this week Trump launched a similar campaign for victims of Hurricane Helene, which late last month destroyed homes, property and entire towns in the Southeast and particularly in western North Carolina. With a $1 million goal, as of Friday early afternoon, the effort raised just under $5.2 million.
On Monday Trump visited Valdosta, GA, bringing supplies. This afternoon he will return to Georgia and meet with Gov. Brian Kemp in what will be their first encounter following the bitterness of the 2020 presidential and January 2021 senatorial runoff elections.
On Friday evening, Trump will hold a townhall event in Fayetteville, NC, which is located in the south-central part of the state.
Those wishing to attend the Butler rally in person may request tickets here.