Former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.
Evan Vucci | AP
Former President Donald Trump plans to hold a rally on Saturday butlerthe site of a July 13 rally in Pennsylvania, where chaos erupted after a gunman opened fire in an assassination attempt on a Republican presidential candidate, killing one spectator.
President Trump first announced plans to reinstate Butler in July, 13 days after the rally shooting.
With about four weeks until the Nov. 5 election and early voting well underway, the Trump campaign is working to build excitement for Butler’s event. This could be one of Trump’s last high-profile opportunities to make his case to the American people, as well as in key battleground states.
“Saturday’s Butler — historic!” Trump wrote. society of truth on Thursday.
But Mr. Trump will return to Mr. Butler in a very different presidential race.
Prior to that first visit to Butler, President Trump was still reveling in President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance in the June 27 debate, which he doubted the Democratic nominee’s ability to win a second term. This spurred growing suspicions about the
Since then, Biden has dropped out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris has taken the helm of the Democratic ticket, beginning to erode Trump’s lead.
Trump’s second Butler rally will also spotlight new aides.
Announcement by Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and Trump’s new ally Saturday that he would speak at the gathering. Musk formally endorsed Trump hours after the Butler assassination attempt, marking a major shift in the rivalry.
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, is also scheduled to give an opening speech.
The family of Corey Comperatore, a mob member who was shot and killed at the July rally, also plans to attend, the paper said. campaign.
In preparation for Saturday’s rally, the Secret Service announced an increased security plan.
The Butler shooting has put the Secret Service under intense scrutiny as questions remain about how a gunman in a public place was able to get within shooting range of the former president. That anger intensified when President Trump became the target of a new assassination attempt in September.
On Friday, the Secret Service promised “comprehensive changes and enhancements” to its communications capabilities and resources.
“The former president is in strict protection, and we take our responsibility to ensure his safety and security very seriously,” spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
