Donald Trump recalls ‘painful’ assassination attempt in first speech since shooting
Topics: Donald Trump, News, Republicans, Politics, US News
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, News, Republicans, Politics, US News
Donald Trump has given his first major speech following the attempt on his life last weekend.
On Saturday, July 13, the Republican presidential nominee was speaking on stage at a rally in Pennsylvania when now-deceased gunman Thomas Crooks fired several shots in his direction.
The 78-year-old managed to turn his head at the perfect moment so instead of one of the bullets killing him, it grazed his right ear instead.
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Elsewhere, two other people were critically injured during the harrowing incident and one man, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, tragically died.
Following the incredibly scary ordeal, Trump made his first public appearance and attended the first night of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee on July 15 where he was seen sporting a large bandage on is wounded ear.
Trump didn't speak on the night, but has now given his first major speech following last weekend's assassination attempt.
Reflecting on the near-fatal day for the former president, Trump told the crowd: "It was a warm, beautiful day in the early evening in Butler Township in the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
He continued, as per Sky News: "Behind me and to the right was a large screen that was displaying a chart of border crossings under my leadership.
"In order to see the chart, I started to turn to my right, and was ready to begin a further turn, which I'm lucky I didn't, when I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me, really hard, on my right ear.
"I said to myself, 'Wow, what was that - it can only be a bullet,' and moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down, and my hand was covered with blood.
"I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack, and in one movement, proceeded to drop to the ground."
Trump further explained that there was 'blood pouring everywhere' but he still felt safe because he 'has God on his side'.
"The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be here tonight," he went on.
Elsewhere, Trump said he wouldn't be discussing the events that unfolded on July 13 again as he finds it 'too painful'.
Last night marked the final night of the RNC. The election vote opens later this year on November 5.