The attack in Butler, Pennsylvania, was the first against a president since Ronald Reagan in 1981. At the time, Trump was days away from becoming the Republican nominee for president and had been on the campaign trail for about 18 months. York analyzed the aftermath of the first assassination attempt against Trump on Fox Nation Democracy 2024 Saturday, some three months after the fact.
“The one thing, the long-term effect that it has had, a near-death experience has had, is I think it gives him more of a sense of mission and more of a sense that perhaps there is some greater intent behind his candidacy,” York said. Because I mean, the fact that he wasn’t killed is amazing, given that the high-velocity bullet passed so close to his head. So I think it has given him a greater sense of mission there.”
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Trump was back in Butler Saturday for the first time since the shooting that killed one and injured three, including himself. The event featured a moment of silence and a musical rendition of “Ave Maria” for Corey Comperatore, 50, the volunteer fire chief, husband, and father who died. This time Trump spoke behind bulletproof glass, which has been a new protocol since the incident.
Since then, a second assassination attempt came in September when law enforcement apprehended another gunman at a Florida golf course. The suspect, Ryan Routh, has since pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and four firearm offenses.
