“Jesus is my Savior; Trump is my President,” mentioned one other.
For some, nonetheless, the trauma of the assassination try nonetheless lingers.
Butler resident Melissa Sehrecen was on the rally on July 13 however immediately selected to observe Trump’s speech from the again of the venue, in case one thing occurred and she or he wanted to get out shortly.
“I keep in mind simply standing there after I heard ‘pop, pop, pop’. I checked out my buddy, and we each ducked down, and I mentioned a prayer,” she mentioned. “You by no means suppose one thing like that’s going to occur.”
Trump’s proper ear was grazed when 20-year-old gunman Thomas Crooks opened hearth from a close-by roof, in an incident that shocked the world and reignited the controversy over political violence within the US.
When he made his first look after the taking pictures on the Republican Nationwide Conference two days later, he appeared sombre and unsure as he walked onto the conference flooring.
However whereas Trump started immediately’s speech with a extra optimistic tone, it didn’t take lengthy earlier than he returned to kind, hitting out at Democrats over the whole lot from fracking and immigration, to transgender athletes and overseas wars.
Earlier, Trump’s vice presidential operating mate JD Vance revved up the rally and instructed Harris incited the assassination try by depicting Trump as a risk to democracy.
“How dare you discuss threats to democracy,” he mentioned.
“Donald Trump took a bullet for democracy- what the hell have you ever carried out?”
Musk, carrying a black cap and black t-shirt was additionally known as to the stage, jubilantly declaring: “I’m not simply MAGA – I’m darkish MAGA!”
Trump started his speech round 5:30pm – virtually eight hours after the gates opened. Earlier than arriving, his aircraft, Trump Power One, circled within the sky above the rally, a lot to the joys of the tens of hundreds of followers gathered under.
Amongst these within the crowd was Damase Pendelton, who’s black however was carrying a tee shirt that echoed Trump’s doubts about Harris’ racial id.
“Roses are purple, Kamala’s not black, Joe has dementia and Hunter’s on crack,” it learn.
“My household got here off a plantation and fought for freedoms,” he mentioned.
“Trump stands for lots of the freedoms that we battle for, and now they’re below assault.
“So I knew I needed to be right here, to assist him and be part of historical past.”
Dave Beazley, a Michigan resident additionally attended the occasion and arrived carrying a large picket crucifix.
“Our motto on this nation is One Nation Below God, and Trump is the one one who can carry us all again to that,” he mentioned.
Harris, in the meantime, headed to Charlotte in North Carolina to verify on the restoration efforts after Hurricane Helene and to fulfill with folks impacted by the storm.
The evening earlier than, her husband, Doug Emhoff appeared on stage in Pittsburgh, about an hour from Butler, to headline a rally alongside REM lead singer Michael Stipe.
Within the crowd was Pittsburgh residents Package Ayars and Cindy Abbott. Requested how they felt about Harris’ probabilities on the election, Abbott replied: “Cautiously optimistic.”
Ayars agreed.
“To me, it looks like it must be a slam dunk, and but the polls are very shut,” she mentioned.
“I perceive that for some folks, Trump’s persona and insurance policies are resonating. I don’t perceive why, however I do know it’s occurring, so I do wish to mood my optimism with that dose of actuality.”
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