The first anniversary of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, serves as a stark reminder of the day when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally, grazing the ear of the then-Republican presidential candidate and killing one of his supporters. A year after narrowly escaping a potentially fatal outcome, Trump, according to friends and aides, remains largely unchanged, though they note subtle shifts in his demeanor and outlook.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a long-time friend, remarked, “I think it’s always in the back of his mind.” Graham, who was in close touch with Trump after the shooting, joined him that night in New Jersey following treatment at a Pennsylvania hospital. “He’s still a rough and tumble guy, you know. He hasn’t become a Zen Buddhist. But I think he is, I’ll say this, more appreciative. He’s more attentive to his friends,” Graham added, noting that Trump recently sent him a birthday message.
The Day That Changed a Campaign
The attack dramatically altered the 2024 campaign landscape. Following the incident, Trump made a triumphant appearance at the Republican National Convention with a bandaged ear. The event also led to then-President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the re-election race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
Trump has surrounded himself with memorabilia commemorating the event, a constant reminder of one of the darkest episodes in modern political history. Art pieces depicting the moment he stood up after the shooting, thrusting his fist in the air, adorn the White House and his golf clubs. A painting of this scene hangs prominently near the staircase to the president’s residence, and a bronze sculpture of the tableau is displayed in the Oval Office.
Physical and Psychological Aftermath
Despite his public persona, Trump has acknowledged the lingering physical effects of the shooting. “I get that throbbing feeling every once in a while,” he said during a White House press conference, gesturing to his ear. “But you know what, that’s OK. This is a dangerous business. What I do is a dangerous business.”
In a recent interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, on Fox News, he reflected on the incident. “Well, it was unforgettable. I didn’t know exactly what was going on. I got whacked, there’s no question about that,” he said. Trump praised the swift actions of a Secret Service sniper, who neutralized the threat within seconds. “If he didn’t do that, you would’ve had an even worse situation,” Trump noted.
Unanswered Questions and Public Perception
A year later, the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Thomas Matthew Crooks, identified by the FBI as the shooter, was a 20-year-old registered Republican from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Despite extensive investigations, authorities have not discovered any manifesto or clear motivation for his actions.
Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, suggested that the experience has had a profound impact on him. “I would say, I think he believes that he was saved. I do. And he would never — even if he thought it before, I don’t think he would have admitted it. And he will now,” she stated in a podcast interview. Wiles also credited the attack with altering public perceptions of Trump, showcasing his resilience and character.
“For the American public to see a person who was such a fighter as he was that day, I think, as awful and tragic as it might have been, it turned out to be something that showed people his character. And that’s helpful,” she said.
Reflections on Fate and Future
Roger Stone, a long-time friend and adviser, observed that Trump appears more serene and determined following the attempt on his life. “He told me directly that he believed he was spared by God for the purpose of restoring the nation to greatness,” Stone said. Ralph Reed, chair of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the incident has led many to believe Trump was protected for a greater purpose.
“Imagine if you were who he was, and if you don’t turn your head at that instant,” Reed said. “He knew he was lucky to be alive.”
As Trump marks the anniversary of the assassination attempt, he plans to attend the FIFA Club World Cup soccer final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event symbolizes both a personal milestone and a moment of reflection on a year that could have turned out very differently.
