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Trump returns to site of failed assassination in Pennsylvania for campaign rally

Republican presidential candidate took the stage behind panes of bulletproof glass after an assassin’s bullet narrowly missed him in July

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Republican presidential nominee and former US president Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. Photo: AP

Donald Trump returned for a campaign rally on Saturday at the same venue where an assassin’s bullet narrowly missed killing him in July, upending a White House race still clouded by the threat of political violence.

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“As I was saying,” Trump said as he appeared on stage, pretending he was resuming the speech that was interrupted when he was grazed in the ear by a bullet on July 13.

Trump saluted firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was shot and killed by the shooter, and two other people who were wounded.

“Time stopped as this vicious monster unleashed pure evil from his sniper’s perch, not so far away, but by the hand of Providence and the grace of God, that villain did not succeed in his goal,” the Republican told thousands of cheering supporters behind panes of bulletproof glass.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, left, and Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance at a Trump campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. Photo: AP
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, left, and Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance at a Trump campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. Photo: AP

At 6:11pm local time, the exact time when gunfire erupted on July 13, Trump called for a moment of silence. A bell then tolled four times, once for each of the four victims, including Trump.

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“He did not stop our movement, he did not break our spirit,” Trump said of the shooter, who was shot and killed by security sharpshooters.

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