BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — Thousands of supporters returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday to rally around Donald Trump at the same spot where a gunman tried to kill him in July.
Trump’s campaign predicted tens of thousands of people would attend the event, billed as a “tribute to the American spirit,” and hundreds lined up as the sun rose. Speakers who took the stage before the Republican nominee — who has characterized his return as a fulfillment of “an obligation” to Butler — recalled details of the July 13 shooting, praised the former president’s courage and said God gave him that day protected, something Trump has also suggested about surviving the attempt.
There were numerous references and tributes to Corey Comperatore, who died during the July rally while shielding family members from gunfire. His firefighter jacket was on display surrounded by flowers, an artist created a patriotic rendition of the former fire chief live on stage, and Comperatore’s sisters wiped tears from their eyes as their brother was honored from the stage.
A visibly increased security presence surrounded the site, with men in camouflage uniforms stationed on rooftops with large guns. The building from which the shooting took place in July was completely obscured by tractor-trailers, a large grassy fence and a fence with Trump’s image from the previous rally. Other adjustments included most of the bleacher seats being placed to the sides, rather than behind the stage.