Finally, Donald Trump returns to the Butler, Pennsylvania, fairgrounds where the first assassination attempt against him was made on July 13 and where retired volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore lost his life protecting his family from the terror-stricken bullets of an assassin.
In the weeks following that first attempt, Trump pulled it off clear He would return to Butler to hold another rally and finish what he started that bright day in July. This despite obvious questions about the protection he received – or not – from the Secret Service. Trump told Elon Musk in an August interview on X:
“We’re going back to Butler and we’re going to do it in October, we’re all prepared,” he said. “It’s a great area, these are incredible people.”
Well, he’s made good on his promise to return, with a gigantic and presumably safer rally scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the Butler Farm Show grounds. Musk will apparently join him:
On the way to Pennsylvania to speak @realDonaldTrump Rally in Butler!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 5, 2024
In a touching gesture, Trump campaign and rally organizers have ensured that Corey Comperatore is not forgotten by placing a compact shrine to him in the stands where the rally will take place. It looks like it’s exactly in the area where Corey and his family were sitting on July 13th when the bullets started flying:
Space reserved for Corey Comperatore in Butler, PA. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/lJw68ajm8g
– ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) October 5, 2024
This closer look shows Corey’s firefighter jacket and helmet surrounded by an array of flowers:
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) October 5, 2024
There are also Reports that the Comperatore family will be present on Saturday.
This isn’t the first time Trump has recalled the sacrifice Corey Comperatore made to ensure his family’s safety. As RedState’s Nick Arama reported, Trump remembered the murdered man in his first public appearance since the Butler assassination in a speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July:
When Trump came out to give his speech on the final night of the convention, he used the moment to honor Comperatore. It was a very touching tribute, with Comparatore’s fire equipment on stage to remember him. The equipment was sent by his family and the fire department. Trump asked for a moment of silence and then noted that there is no greater love than giving one’s life to save another.
It’s clear that Trump now has a special connection to the Butler community and the Comperatore family, which will certainly be even more evident at Saturday’s rally. And the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania itself is vital to the Trump campaign as it will play a key role in the path to the White House; It’s unlikely he’ll win without her. Current polls show Trump with a nearly three-point lead over Kamala Harris. So expect both candidates to spend a lot of time in the Keystone State next month.
The question that remains at this second Butler, Pa., rally is whether the Secret Service will be able to adequately protect Trump. Intelligence spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said A statement said: “Today, the former president is receiving increased protection and we take the responsibility to ensure his safety very seriously.” Guglielmi added that the Secret Service is coordinating security efforts with the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement agencies while also “leveraging other federal security resources to expand personnel and technology.”
Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania takes place on Saturday. The Republican candidate is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
