On the eve of Saturday, July 13, 2024, the chants of “USA…USA…USA…” echoed through a crowd of 15,000 people gathered at a grassy farm show election rally in the quaint township of Butler, Pennsylvania. American flags waved proudly, signs advocating for "No Tax On Tips" were displayed, and red baseball caps with the words "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) embroidered in ivory adorned the heads of many attendees. Donald Trump, The Republican presidential candidate for the 2024 United States Election stood poised, waiting for the perfect moment to begin his speech.
Addressing the loyal crowd, Donald Trump, remarked: “This is a massive, beautiful gathering… I only wish the ‘fake news’ (mainstream media) over there would capture it,” he gestured towards the rear of the rally. “I wish they would turn their cameras around because no one would believe the size of this crowd.”
“I wish they would turn their cameras around because no one would believe the size of this crowd.”
Eleven minutes into the presidential candidate's speech, three shots rang out. The Secret Service immediately shielded the target of the attack as chaos ensued. The crowd, who had eagerly awaited the appearance of the man they saw as a symbol of freedom and the American dream, watched to see if he was alive.
After intense seconds, he rose from the ground, defiantly pumping his fist into the air and leading the crowd in a chant of "Fight...Fight...Fight..." The atmosphere was electric as the crowd erupted in response.
The alleged attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has unknown motives according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). While the current investigation suggests that the shooter acted alone, the FBI is actively conducting a thorough inquiry to determine if there were any co-conspirators involved in the attack.
It has become evident to millions around the world that the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a random occurrence that took place at 6:11pm on a warm July day.
