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Join Telegram ChannelBUTLER, Penn. – Excited spectators flocked to the fairgrounds in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, saying it was “brave” of former President Donald Trump to make an appearance at the spot where he was nearly assassinated.
Trump is expected to appear at the site where he was nearly killed in a deadly shooting on July 13, and the Republican presidential candidate is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m.
Trump announces outdoor rally in Pennsylvania to 'finish our speech' at site of first assassination attempt
A law enforcement sniper takes position on a rooftop before a rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Kevin DietschGetty Images)
Supporters decorated with American flags and slogans Trump shared with Fox News Digital that Trump's return to the venue was “brave.”
“I think it's brave. It really shows strength to people that he's here, and he's not hiding,” said River Jager, 21, of Buffalo, Ohio.
“If someone else got shot, they would run,” he said. “Instead of running away, he regained his composure and pulled himself together to show us that he was okay.”
Father-daughter duo Tom Bye, 44, and Brooke Bye, 19, said Trump's comeback proved “he's doing this for us,” saying his actions “speak volumes.”
“He's not afraid. He does it for us. He doesn't have to. He speaks for people, like people speak,” Tom said. “That says a lot, he’s not going to run and hide.”
“He’s coming back to show he’s strong,” Brooke said.
Both men shared their hope for change under the Trump administration, saying “the country is going downhill.”
“If he doesn’t become president now, this country can’t be saved,” Tom said. “It’s time for a change.”
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Brooke echoed her father's sentiment, citing increased illegal immigration as her top voting issue.
“This needs to be changed,” she said. “Things with our immigration problem – things have to change.”
A woman cleans a mural depicting Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump on the side of a bus before a rally at the Butler Farm Show Inc. October 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Friends Jody Cavalieri and Dena Diebold said they drove three hours from Buffalo, New York, to see Trump.
Both men praised Trump's courage, saying “life was much better under Trump.”
“Courageous – for the country, for the people,” Cavalieri said.
“Same,” Diebold said, nodding. “God bless Trump.”
“Life was much better under Trump,” Cavalieri said. “I want my kids to feel good about buying a house. My 24 year old still lives at home and it's not easy to go out and get a mortgage. I want them to Things are getting better for our children.”
“We felt safer when Trump was in office,” Diebold said. “There was peace all over the world. Not so much at the moment.”
Don Deazley carries a cross as he prays with Sue Hensal and others as they line up for a rally of Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on Oct. 5 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Journi Dostal, a 27-year-old business owner, told Fox News Digital this was his first Trump rally.
The young voter said Trump's return to Butler marked a “historic moment.”
This is such a historic moment.
David Mills, who wore a Trump wig, said he “wouldn't miss” the rally, saying it was the third he had attended.
“I wouldn't miss it. This is my third rally in Butler,” Mills, 64, said.
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“We need to expel all the illegal immigrants, reduce the size of government, which is just grossly bloated,” he said.
Law enforcement snipers take position on a roof as attendees line up before a rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 , in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump holds rally in Butler, site of his first assassination attempt. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Denise Materia, Saint Mary's school district athletic secretary, said she was pleased to hear Trump “finish his speech.”
I'm so excited to see him finish the speech he wanted to give on July 13th.
“I want him to make America better,” she continued. “Things were much better when he was president.”
Dan Beasley, a real estate broker, said the former president was “very courageous” in his return.
“I think he’s very brave,” he said. “God has an explicit purpose for him. He is coming back to deliver that message.”
Trump's campaign said the former president's return to Butler would honor those lost in the assassination attempt at the rally.
Corey Comperatore50 years old, was a firefighter and father of two daughters. He “historically sacrificed his life to protect his wife and daughters” during the assassination attempt on Trump, according to the campaign.
Corey Comperatore, former Buffalo Township Fire Chief, pictured with his daughters in an undated family photo. Authorities say Thomas Matthew Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, struck and killed Comperatore in the crossfire. Secret Service agents returned fire, killing Crooks. (Hélène Comperatore/Facebook)
Trump will also recognize the two other Americans injured by the shooter, David Dutch and James Copenhaver.
“He will express his deep gratitude to law enforcement and first responders, and thank the entire community for their outpouring of love and support in the wake of the attack,” the campaign said.
Trump is protected by U.S. Secret Service personnel after gunshots ring out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
Trump's campaign said his return to the scene of the first assassination attempt was a “tribute to the American spirit.”
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In America, we don't let monsters like this evil assassin have the last laugh.
“In America, we do not let monsters like this evil assassin have the last laugh. Whenever our nation is hit by attack or hardship, we come together, we persevere, and we win,” the campaign said in a statement. press release. “When terrorists toppled our towering skyscrapers, we built them back taller. When our communities are ravaged by fire, storm or natural disaster, we come together and come back stronger.”
“And when a shooter attacked our democracy and tried to end this movement, President Trump will return to the site, joined by tens of thousands of proud citizens, and together they will celebrate a unifying vision for America's future in an event like the world has never seen before.
Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Trump's campaign said he was “more determined than ever” after two assassination attempts in the past nine weeks, one in Butler and the other at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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“In this field in Butler, on July 13, he took a bullet for democracy – and on November 5, he will save our democracy,” they said. “With the help of the extraordinary people of Pennsylvania and citizens across our country, we will make America safer, stronger, freer and greater than ever.”