Former US president Donald Trump has described his survival of an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania as a "surreal experience." Speaking to the New York Post while en route to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, Trump revealed his disbelief, saying, "I'm not supposed to be here, I'm supposed to be dead."
The 78-year-old former president recounted the harrowing incident, attributing his survival to either luck or divine intervention. "The most incredible thing was that I happened to not only turn [my head] but to turn at the exact right time and in just the right amount," Trump stated, noting that a bullet had grazed his ear. "I'm supposed to be dead, I'm not supposed to be here," he reiterated, describing the entire episode as surreal.
A spectator was killed, and two others were seriously injured in the attack. The 20-year-old gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, also died. Trump, wearing a white bandage covering his right ear, avoided being photographed. "The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this; he called it a miracle," Trump added. "By luck or by God, many people are saying it's by God I’m still here."
Trump also addressed the now-iconic photos of him raising his fist and saying "Fight!" despite having blood on his face. "A lot of people say it's the most iconic photo they've ever seen," Trump said. "They're right, and I didn't die. Usually, you have to die to have an iconic picture."
Following the shooting, Trump expressed his desire to continue speaking but was taken to the hospital by the Secret Service. "I just wanted to keep speaking, but I just got shot," he explained. He also acknowledged a call from US President Joe Biden, describing it as "fine" and "very nice," suggesting that the campaign between him and Biden might be more civil going forward.
Trump Credits Border Patrol Chart For Saving His Life: Ex-White House Doctor
Earlier, Trump credited a border patrol chart for saving his life. Speaking to his former White House doctor, Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas, Trump said, "That chart that I was going over saved my life." He was pointing to an immigration statistics chart when shots rang out. "He goes, 'The border patrol saved my life,'" Dr. Jackson recounted, as quoted by the New York Times. "'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.'"
Dr. Jackson, who flew overnight to New Jersey from Texas to visit Trump at his private club in Bedminster, described the former president as "determined" and "not the least bit flustered." Those around Trump echoed this sentiment, noting his gratitude for being safe and his intention to continue with the Republican National Convention without changes to his schedule, according to NYT.
Trump was travelling with a reduced group of advisers, including Susie Wiles, Dan Scavino, Steven Cheung, and Walt Nauta, who were all with him at the hospital. The White House confirmed a brief, cordial call between Trump and President Biden on Saturday night.