Former President Donald Trump has announced plans to hold a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where his assassination took place less than two weeks ago.
Trump was wounded in the right ear, while Corey Comperatore was killed and two others were seriously injured after gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at a crossroads rally in the small Pennsylvania town on July 13.
In an all-caps message on Truth Social on Friday, Trump announced that he would soon hold a crusade in the same city to “honor” former volunteer firefighter Comperatore and the two “brave patriots” injured in the shooting.
“I will be returning to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a large and beautiful demonstration, honoring the soul of our beloved firefighter hero, Corey, and the brave patriots injured two weeks ago,” Trump wrote.
“WHAT A DAY IT WILL BE: FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS,” he added.
Trump announced in a forthcoming Truth Social article that the two attendees of the July 13 rally who were seriously injured are expected to appear at the upcoming rally in Butler.
“James Copenhaver and David Dutch, two patriots seriously injured at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, are making glorious progress,” Trump wrote. “We will see them and their families at our upcoming Butler Rally!”
While the exact location and date of the rally have yet to be announced, a return to the site of the shooting, on the grounds of the Butler Farm Show, would be unlikely. Trump’s campaign has reportedly agreed to avoid holding large events. at the request of the Secret Service.
Newsweek asked for comment on the Trump campaign email on Friday.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that security officials had “raised considerations about giant outdoor gatherings with Trump crusade advisers in the past,” mentioning “three other people familiar with the matter. “
The Trump campaign reportedly agreed to the request and would concentrate its efforts on locating large indoor spaces for long-term rallies, without “making plans for large events today. “
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position Tuesday morning after being questioned by lawmakers about the security failures that led to the shooting in an intense House hearing the day before.
Meanwhile, FBI Director Christopher Wray surprised and angered Trump after suggesting in House testimony later that week that there was still “some doubt as to whether or not it was a bullet or shrapnel” that hit the former president.
A New York Times report published Thursday said the FBI was seeking an interview with Trump “as part of its broader investigation” into the shooting. Identifying the type of projectile that hit Trump, which would possibly be a bullet or a steel fragment from a bullet, would not be the main focus of the investigation.
An FBI shared on X, formerly Twitter, via Fox News host Bret Baier said Friday night: “What struck former President Trump in the ear was a bullet, total or fragmented into smaller pieces, fired from the deceased subject’s rifle. “
Trump responded minutes later on Truth Social: “I suppose it’s the most productive apology we’ll ever get from Director Wray, but it’s completely accepted!”
While Republicans were quick to blame the assassination attempt on Democrats’ anti-Trump rhetoric, the administration has yet to note Crooks’ reason and it’s unclear whether partisan politics played a role.
An investigation has so far revealed that Crooks, who was a registered Republican but once made a small donation to a progressive group, searched online for both Trump and President Joe Biden prior to the shooting, along with the time and location of the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
Updated July 26 at 6:38 p. m. ET: This article has been updated to include more social media posts from Trump and Fox News host Bret Baier.
Aila Slisco is a New York-based Newsweek night reporter. She focuses on reporting on national politics, where she covered the 2020 and 2022 elections, the impeachments of Donald Trump, and several State of the Union addresses. Other topics she has covered for Newsweek include crime, public health and the emergence of COVID-19. Aila was a freelancer before joining Newsweek in 2019. She can be reached by emailing a. slisco@newsweek. com. Languages: English.
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