Trump Recounts Assassination Bid After Republican Nomination. Here's What He Said

'I'm Not Supposed To Be Here': Trump RecouOn Assassination Bid After Accepting GOP Nomination

Donald Trump said his resolve was unbroken, and he was committed to delivering a government that serves the American people (Image: PTI)

Source : PTI

Donald Trump expressed gratitude to the Americans for their outpouring of love and support following the assassination attempt on him, as he formally accepted the GOP (Grand Old Party) nomination for a third time at the Milwaukee stage for the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Thursday (local time).

The former US President said his resolve was unbroken, and he was committed to delivering a government that serves the American people. 

“So tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States,” Trump, 78, said to applause.

In his first speech after a failed assassination bid on him on Saturday in Pennsylvania, Trump asserted that he stands before Americans with a message of confidence, strength, and hope. "Four months from now, we will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country. Together, we will launch a new era of safety, prosperity, and freedom for citizens of every race, religion, colour, and creed,” he said.

#WATCH | Former US President and candidate for the upcoming US presidential elections, Donald Trump says, "This election should be about the issues facing our country and how to make America successful, safe, free and great again. In an age when our politics too often divide us,… pic.twitter.com/K7WI8tPBbY

— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2024

“The discord and division in our society must be healed. As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together. Or we fall apart. I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” Trump added.

Republican presidential candidate also dramatically recounted his brush with death just days before, saying he survived "only by the grace of almighty God." 

"Tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for the President of the United States," says former President Donald Trump

(Pic: Republican National Convention/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/8kohUHhLFC

— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2024

"I'm not supposed to be here tonight," Trump said at the Republican convention in his first speech since he was wounded by a 20-year-old gunman who rained bullets on a rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend. 

Trump recalled taking the stage before a cheering crowd on Saturday. He said there was a screen behind him displaying a chart on border crossings when he was in office -- with numbers that were "absolutely amazing" -- and he turned his head to see it.

"I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear. I said to myself, 'Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet," said Trump.

He said he moved his hand to his ear and brought it down, and it "was covered with blood, just absolutely blood all over the place. I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack."

He further recalled that secret Service agents rushed to the stage as bullets flew, pouncing on top of him to keep him safe. "The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be here tonight. We would not be together," the Republican leader said.

He also praised the actions of his supporters at the rally, saying they turned to look for the sniper instead of breaking into a stampede. "They knew I was in trouble. They didn't want to leave me. And you can see that love written all over their faces. Incredible people," Trump said.

Further recounting the scene behind his now-viral image, Trump said, "I wanted to do something to let him know I was okay. I raised my right arm, looked at the thousands and thousands of people who were breathlessly waiting, and started shouting, 'Fight, fight, fight!"

"For the rest of my life, I will be grateful for the love shown by that giant audience of patriots that stood bravely on that fateful evening," he said insisting he would never recount the moment when he nearly lost his life again.

"So many people have asked me, 'What happened? Tell us what happened, please...(But) you'll never hear it from me a second time, because it's actually too painful to tell," he said.