Just one day after being fired at during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, Donald Trump made his first public statement about the incident.
“The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle. I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” the former POTUS 78 told The New York Post on Sunday, July 14.
Trump stated that he might not be alive today if he had not tilted his head slightly to the right in order to see the chart concerning illegal immigrants. Rather than that, a portion of his ear was severed, which resulted in blood splattering on his cheek and forehead.
The operatives of the Secret Service advised him not to continue speaking to the throng, despite the fact that he wished to continue doing so. A further explanation was offered by Trump regarding the reason he stated, "Wait, I want to get my shoes."
“The agents hit me so hard that my shoes fell off, and my shoes are tight. They took him out with one shot right between the eyes. They did a fantastic job. It’s surreal for all of us,” Trump told the news outlet, praising the Secret Service for stepping up during that time to save him.
Additionally, he made a comment on the photograph of himself holding his fist in the air while blood was running down his face. “A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture,” Trump stated.
“I just wanted to keep speaking, but I just got shot. By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” the husband of Melania Trump went on.
Additionally, Trump praised the crowd for maintaining their composure. “A lot of places, especially soccer games, you hear a single shot, everybody runs. Here there were many shots and they stayed. I love them. They are such great people,” he stated.
As Business Times previously reported, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who lived in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was the person who fired shots at Donald Trump.
Reassuring the public that he was fine, Trump's team issued a statement after the video footage went viral. One person from the audience and the gunman died.
"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.
While avid followers of Trump were applauded his bravery despite the bloody incident, his critics took to social media to underscore that he is not the best person to lead the country. Thus, the hashtag “#TrumpIsNotFitToBePresident” trended on Twitter.
“His worshippers aren't fit to be Americans..either! They are NOT normal people. Something is seriously wrong with them,” one netizen claimed. “Kim Jong Un recently had 30 middle school kids executed for watching South Korean TV shows. And here is Donald Trump meeting his child-murdering “lover,” lavishing praise on him. This is the type of dictator Trump admires,” another X, formerly Twitter, user wrote.
“The entire world remains in disbelief that this fucking moron was once the President of the United States and even more unbelievable, is that he remains the GOP candidate in 2024,” an X post read. “Every day until the election, I’m posting a video to expose Trump as the dumbest, most unfit president in history...”another post indicated.
“I’ve been soul searching guys. I know I’ve said some harsh things about Donald Trump like he’s a Pedophile Rapist Liar Fascist Threat to America & I just wanted to say that he’s still a Pedophile Rapist Liar Fascist Threat to America,” a fifth netizen said. “I’m voting against the republican extremists. How about you?” another X user penned.
Of course, supporters of the Republican Party standard bearer defended Trump. "Imagine telling people #TrumpIsNotFitToBePresident when in the last 48hrs Joe Biden…Thinks he’s running for congress, Says July 6th instead on January 6th, Says Lincoln Riley instead of Laken Riley, Invites Americans to accompany him on Air Force one to Moscow,” one supporter said.
“Laughably #TrumpIsNotFitToBePresident is trending among brainwashed idiots who voted for Joe Biden,” another Trump supporter wrote. “#TrumpIsNotFitToBePresident across the internet today are the same evil psychopaths celebrating the death of a father yesterday and wishing for “better aim” from the criminal madman. The left needs Jesus,” Morgana Le Fay stated.
Business Times reached out to Donald Trump for comments.
