Trump Reveals Last Second Move He Made That Saved His Life

Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. As Trump spoke to his supporters, gunshots erupted, wounding him and three others. The chaos tragically resulted in the death of one attendee, with two more suffering critical injuries. The FBI has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a local from the area, as the shooter.

Hours after the incident, Trump, reflecting on the close call, expressed his astonishment at his survival to his former White House doctor. Trump credited a surprising lifesaver for his narrow escape from an assassination attempt.

“That chart that I was going over saved my life,” Trump told Dr. Ronny Jackson, a Texas Representative, over the phone just hours after the incident according to The New York Times. The chart in question, which displayed immigration statistics, was situated on a screen to his right. As he turned to point out details to the audience, shots were fired.

Dr. Jackson shared his recollection of their conversation: “He goes, ‘The border patrol saved my life,’” adding, “‘I was going over that border patrol chart.’ He said, ‘If I hadn’t pointed at that chart and turned my head to look at it, that bullet would have hit me right in the head.’”

via The New York Times

After his nephew was injured in the assassination attempt, Dr. Jackson made an overnight journey from Texas to New Jersey. He visited Trump, who was recuperating at his private club in Bedminster. Dr. Jackson noted that Trump appeared “determined” and was “not the least bit flustered” during their conversation according to the Times.

My nephew was injured at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Thankfully his injury was not serious and he is doing well. My family was sitting in the front, near where the President was speaking. They heard shots ringing out — my nephew then realized he had blood on his neck…

— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) July 14, 2024

I spoke to OUR President last night. He is doing well and as STRONG AS EVER. Thank God he is ok! If you ever wondered, your questions have been answered last night, he IS the WARRIOR this country MUST have to survive. God Bless Trump and God bless the USA!!

— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) July 14, 2024

The New York Times reported:

One of the main missions of the Secret Service snipers supporting former President Donald J. Trump’s rally was to perform a counter-sniper mission, as is standard practice. That means they were in position specifically to eliminate the kind of threat posed by the gunman who opened fire on his rally on Saturday.

One of the snipers had a white card attached to the scope of his rifle marked with diagrams and numbers. Such cards are used to detail the specific calculations needed for a sniper’s rifle in relation to various points — in this case, that would likely include the distant buildings on the property of the Butler Farm Show where Mr. Crooks shot from.

In photographs of the Secret Service snipers, they appeared to be using long-range and powerful rifles that likely fire .300 or .338 cartridges, commonly used by well-trained military snipers.

According to maps of the site and Google maps, the snipers were within roughly 200 yards of Mr. Crooks, an easy shot for any trained marksman.

A State Department agent tasked with the personal security of high-ranking diplomats said the snipers were in the right place but that the building Mr. Crooks shot from should have been secured given its height and short distance from Mr. Trump. The agent, who wasn’t directly involved in security for the Trump rally on Saturday, spoke on the condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Jill and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed at Donald Trump's rally – he was a father protecting his family from the bullets being fired.

We're also praying for the full recovery of those who were injured.

— President Biden (@POTUS) July 14, 2024

On the day of the rally, Trump traveled with a reduced team of advisers. Additionally, Trump had a late-night call with Joe Biden on Saturday. According to the White House, the call was described as cordial and respectful, though the details of their conversation remain undisclosed. They spoke before Trump’s plane landed in Newark, N.J., after midnight.