Former President Donald Trump is set to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, nearly three months after a gunman attempted to assassinate him during a rally there in July. This visit comes amidst ongoing concerns for his safety but fulfills what Trump describes as a promise—“really an obligation”—to the people of Butler.
In a darkly humorous nod to the event, Trump quipped, “I’ll probably start off by saying, ‘As I was saying …’” referring to the speech he was delivering when a bullet grazed his ear, necessitating his swift evacuation from the stage with blood visible on his face. Trump will be joined at the Butler Farm Show grounds by his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, highlighting the campaign’s efforts to generate excitement as the election approaches.
The Trump campaign anticipates tens of thousands of attendees at what they are calling a “tribute to the American spirit.” Local accommodations are reportedly fully booked, with eager supporters already arriving in town ahead of the event. “President Trump looks forward to returning to Butler, Pennsylvania to honor the victims from that tragic day,” said Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. “The willingness of Pennsylvanians to join President Trump in his return represents the strength and resiliency of the American people.”
During the event, scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Trump plans to remember Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter killed during the July 13 rally, and acknowledge the two other individuals injured, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. The three were struck when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from an unsecured rooftop before being shot by law enforcement.
Questions linger regarding how Crooks managed to evade law enforcement and access a vantage point so close to Trump, marking a significant security failure for the Secret Service. The motive behind Crooks’ actions remains undetermined.
Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger assured WPXI-TV that law enforcement is intensifying efforts to ensure a safe event. County Sheriff Mike Slupe indicated that the Secret Service is deploying “quadruple the assets” compared to July.
Butler County, located in a critical presidential swing state, has consistently supported Trump, who received about 66% of the vote in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. With around 57% of the county’s 139,000 registered voters identifying as Republicans, Trump is focusing on mobilizing turnout in conservative areas.
However, residents are divided about Trump’s return. Heidi Priest, a local resident who leads a Facebook group supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, noted that Trump’s previous visit heightened political tensions in the city. As Trump aims to rally his base, Harris is simultaneously targeting Pennsylvania, actively campaigning in the state as part of her strategy to secure swing states ahead of the election.