Trump Takes Aim at Biden and Harris in First Rally Since Assassination Attempt
Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Democratic rivals Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday as he returned to the campaign trail a week after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
At his first rally since the shocking shooting and his first appearance with fellow freshman Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump took the stage wearing a smaller bandage instead of the white earring he wore at the Republican National Convention. He called the assassination attempt a “horrible event” and said he was standing before his supporters “by the grace of God.” I shouldn’t be here, but let’s face it, something very special happened.”
“I owe my life to immigration,” Trump said. He explained that he turned his head to look at a chart about border crossings just before a bullet passed by his head and grazed his ear. “I hope I never have to do that again,” Trump said. He mentioned that his opponents call him a “threat to democracy,” but he responded by saying that he “took a bullet for democracy.”
Trump also referred to the confusion in the Democratic Party over Joe Biden’s re-election bid. He said there was a debate over whether Biden should run for re-election due to concerns about his age and mental acuity. “They don’t know who their candidate is, and neither do we,” Trump joked. He described Biden as a “frail old man.”
During a long and cheerful speech, Trump joked that he would rather be in Michigan than “sitting on some boring beach and watching the waves.” It was a dig at Biden, who is recovering from COVID at his beach house in Delaware.
On Saturday, while Trump was campaigning, his team released an update on his injuries. Texas Representative Ronny Jackson, who used to be Trump’s White House doctor, said the bullet from Crooks’ gun “hit him less than a quarter inch from his head, and lodged above his right ear,” causing a “2 cm wide wound.”
Jackson said the wound was healing, but the former president was still bleeding a little and needed an ear dressing. “Since the wound was large and blunt, no stitches were necessary,” he wrote.
At the Michigan arena, the former US president predicted a landslide victory in the election. He asked the crowd if they would prefer him to run against Vice President Kamala Harris, which led to loud booing, or President Biden, which led to cheers. He also mentioned that he would be happy to run against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, saying she has “done a very poor job.”
Trump focused on his typical topics: criticizing electric vehicles, China, and trade. He also promised to take a major step to deport immigrants. His speech used harsh, exaggerated language, especially about immigration, where he described immigrant crimes in horrific terms that matched right-wing conspiracy theories.
Trump also rejected claims that his second term in office would be affected by Project 2025, an extremist plan from the conservative Heritage Foundation that includes many people associated with Trump and his campaign.
“This document was created by very conservative people who are the exact opposite of the radical left. I don’t know anything about it and I don’t want to know anything about it,” he said.
Trump was introduced to the stage by Vance, who was warmly greeted by the crowd. This was notable because Vance’s home state of Ohio has a long-standing sports rivalry with Michigan.
Vance criticized both Republicans and Democrats in his speech and said they failed to protect manufacturing jobs in Michigan and across the U.S. “Both parties were very flawed until Trump came along,” he said.
Thousands of people waited outside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which can seat 12,000, to see the former president. This large crowd appeared despite recent concerns about security. Earlier, in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service and local police allowed a 20-year-old man named Thomas Matthew Crooks to climb to a roof with a clear view of the stage. From there, Crooks fired several shots at the former president.
Grand Rapids law enforcement did not confirm whether extra officers were on duty, directing all questions to the presidential security agency. Unlike last week’s county fairgrounds event, where security was more challenging because of the open space, Saturday’s rally took place in a closed area. This setup made it easier to manage security without requiring local police to cover outside areas, as was necessary in Butler.
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“Former Secret Service agent Jason Russell told Michigan Live, ‘You’ll see more agents and a much greater police presence because this is the first event since last Saturday.'”
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said his department planned the event in conjunction with federal partners. He stressed that they had solid plans in place, utilized resources effectively, and remained committed to keeping the community safe.
John Schott, the chairman of the Republican Party’s chapter in Kent, Michigan, told Michigan Live that Trump supporters are not deterred by the shooting and he predicted the event will be a great success.
Michigan is a key state for both Trump and Biden in the upcoming election. Recent polls show Trump leading Biden by 4%, with Trump at 46% and Biden at 42%. The trend mirrors what’s happening in other key battleground states, especially after Biden’s poor debate performance three weeks ago. That debate has sparked concern within the Democratic Party about Biden’s chances. Nationally, Trump now has an edge over Biden in a direct comparison.
Supporters began arriving for the rally on Friday afternoon, according to local news reports. By Saturday afternoon, lines to get into the event were up to six blocks long.
“Julie Bryant of Marshall, Michigan, shared her thoughts with Michigan Live, saying, ‘I think it’s amazing. It really shows how strong he is, and we’re incredibly proud of him. We wouldn’t expect this from someone who wasn’t prepared for this. We’re just here to support him, especially after everything he’s been through.'”
Supporter Adam Salton shared that he had been waiting in line since 6 a.m.: “Forget the right and the left, this is about Trump and us. He could be playing golf or spending time with his family, but he’s here for us. So, I’ll be here for eight hours for him, because it’s for us.”
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