Former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Evan Vucci | AP
Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of his July 13 rally where chaos erupted after a gunman opened fire in a failed assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate, instead killing one person the crowd killed.
Trump first announced his plan to return to Butler in July, 13 days after the rally shooting.
About four weeks until the November 5 election and early voting is in full swing. The Trump campaign has worked to fuel hype around the Butler event. It could be one of Trump's last high-profile opportunities to make his case to the American public, in a key swing state.
“BUTLER ON SATURDAY – HISTORIC!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.
But Trump is returning to Butler in a very different presidential race.
Before that first Butler visit, Trump was still reveling in President Joe Biden's disastrous performance at the June 27 debate, which raised growing doubts among Democrats about their candidate's ability to win a second term.
Since then, Biden has dropped out of the race, Vice President Kamala Harris has taken the Democratic helm and she has begun eroding Trump's lead.
Trump's second Butler rally will also spotlight his new entourage.
Tesla boss and new Trump ally Elon Musk announced Saturday that he would give a speech at the rally. A few hours after the Butler assassination, Musk officially endorsed Trump, marking a significant turning point in their formerly hostile relationship.
Trump's vice president, Ohio Senator JD Vance, will also give an opening statement.
Family members of Corey Comperatore, the crowd gunman shot at the July rally, are also expected to attend, the campaign said.
Ahead of Saturday's rally, the Secret Service said it had beefed up its security plan.
The Butler shooting put the Secret Service under intense scrutiny as questions arose about how a gunman could get within gunshot of a former president at a public event. This outrage grew after Trump was assassinated again in September.
On Friday, the Secret Service promised that it had made “comprehensive changes and improvements” to its communications capabilities and resources.
“The former president is receiving increased protection and we take the responsibility to ensure his safety very seriously,” spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
Comments are closed.