Trump: Almost Killed Twice in Two Months?
By Anisa Hashemi
News Editor
Former President Trump was the target of two assassination attempts in the span of two months: first at a Pennsylvania rally in July and most recently at his Florida golf club in September.
July attempt
He was shot and injured in the ear on July 13th 2024 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter was a 20 year-old man named Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks shot eight rounds, killed a spectator and critically injured three others, including trump. The shooter was shot by a Secret Service officer.
After the Presidential candidate was shot in the ear, he was shielded by Secret Service and led into an SUV with blood on his face. His safety was confirmed by the Secret Service hours later.
Who was the suspect?
The suspect appeared to be a lone actor to FBI officials. He carried a semiautomatic AR-style rifle on the day of the shooting. Crooks was a 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School. Jason Koehler tells KDKA’s Megan Schiller that Crooks was a loner who was bullied for his appearance and wore camo/hunting outfits in class. But Mark Sigafoos, who graduated with Crooks and had two classes with him senior year, said he never saw him bullied. “This is one of the things that is being misconstrued — he was not some type of loner trenchcoat wearer. And I will say he was definitely nerdy, for sure, but he never gave off that he was creepy or like a school shooter […] He seemed like he wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Hints of the motive
Crooks’ political leanings are not entirely clear. He was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but he previously made a $15 donation to a Democratic-aligned group.
Currently, his family is cooperating with the FBI as they investigate the shooter and his motives. Said motives are not exactly clear as of today, however, the officials said he searched “Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show?” Furthermore, a month prior to the attack, Crooks reportedly conducted “more than 60 searches related to former President Trump and President Biden.”
Other victims
The spectator who was killed was Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old man who was shot while protecting his family from the gunfire. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said: “Corey was a ‘girl dad.’ Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community.”
Penn. State Rep. Marci Mustello says: “His commitment to his wife and two daughters, and his unwavering dedication to his role as a fire chief exemplified his remarkable character.”
The two spectators who were wounded have been identified as 57-year-old David Dutch, and James Copenhaver, 74. Both were listed in critical but stable condition Sunday.
Trump & Biden’s reactions
Later, Trump shared on Truth Social: “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear… Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” He extended condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore, a bystander who was fatally shot while shielding his family.
In response to the shooting, President Biden expressed his relief that Trump was safe, saying, “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.” Biden’s campaign then attempted to temporarily pause all ads after the incident.
September attempt
In a more recent event, Trump was targeted again at his West Palm Beach golf club. Thanks to a vigilant Secret Service agent, the suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was stopped before firing any shots. Routh, who has a long criminal history dating back to the 1990s, was arrested after fleeing the scene and is now facing federal gun charges. Trump expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action, attributing the attempts on his life to “rhetoric” from political adversaries.
Trump and Biden’s reactions
Trump continues to emphasize resilience, posting online that these attacks have only strengthened his resolve ahead of the upcoming election. “Perhaps it’s God wanting me to be president to save this country,” he says. He blames the two incidents on “rhetoric” from his political foes, which he says have referred to him as a “danger to democracy” which ultimately led to his getting attacked.
Biden, along with Vice President Harris, received updates on the situation, and the White House issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing relief for Trump’s safety. Biden added in his address, “We cannot condone this kind of violence, no matter who it targets.”
These incidents have cast a spotlight on the political climate, with Trump asserting that the attempts on his life are fueled by “rhetoric” from political adversaries.