Former President Donald Trump credits divine intervention for saving his life on Saturday, July 13. A gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, aimed a high-powered rifle at Trump’s head but missed by less than half an inch, only grazing his ear. Law enforcement is still searching for a motive. This was the most serious assassination attempt on a president or former president since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 but survived. Trump’s life may have been saved by a last-second head turn that seemingly prevented the bullet from hitting him directly.
A last-minute millisecond head tilt likely saved Donald Trump’s life.
If Trump hadn’t moved his head, the bullet would’ve likely pierced the back of his head. pic.twitter.com/sRLBEH8gxp
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) July 14, 2024
Trump Credits God For Saving Him
On his Truth Social account, Trump expressed gratitude and remained resolute.
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday. It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump wrote. “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and defiant in the face of wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.”
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 14, 2024
Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former firefighter attending the rally in Butler, PA, was killed while shielding his wife and two daughters, according to media reports. This week, Trump is set to accept the Republican Party’s nomination in his bid to become the first president since Grover Cleveland (1885-1889 and 1893-1897) to serve two nonconsecutive terms.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans. We must remain strong and determined, not allowing evil to win,” he said. “I truly love our country and love you all. I look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin.”
Last-Second Head Tilt Was Crucial
Trump told the Washington Examiner his life was spared because he glanced to his right at a screen showing data.
“That reality is just setting in,” he said. “I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?”
Trump also mentioned he is rewriting his speech, shifting its focus from criticizing President Biden to uniting the country.
“It is a chance to bring the country together,” he told the Examiner. “I was given that chance.” He added, “This is a chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together. The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would’ve been two days ago.”
As he walked off the stage surrounded by Secret Service agents on Saturday, Trump turned to the crowd and held up his fist, mouthing the word “Fight.” He told the Examiner he wanted the world to know he had survived.
“The energy coming from the people there in that moment, they just stood there; it’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I knew the world was watching,” he said. “I knew that history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are OK.”
Others Besides Trump Credit God
Trump is not the first president or former president to acknowledge divine intervention. Former President Ronald Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981, by John Hinckley Jr., whose bullet penetrated Reagan’s left lung and stopped just an inch from his heart. Reagan credited God for his survival in his diary entry on March 31.
“Whatever happens now, I owe my life to God and will try to serve him in every way I can,” Reagan wrote.
While in the hospital, Reagan also expressed forgiveness toward his shooter.
“I focused on that tiled ceiling and prayed,” Reagan wrote. “But I realized I couldn’t ask for God’s help while at the same time feeling hatred for the mixed-up young man who had shot me. Isn’t that the meaning of the lost sheep? We are all God’s children and therefore equally beloved by Him. I began to pray for his soul and that he would find his way back to the fold.”
On April 28, 1982, Reagan delivered his State of the Union Address, expressing gratitude to Americans for their support during his recovery.
“The warmth of your words, the expression of friendship, and yes, love, meant more to us than you can ever know,” Reagan said. “You have given us a memory that we will treasure forever. And you’ve provided an answer to those few voices that suggested what happened was evidence of a sick society. The society we heard from is comprised of millions of compassionate Americans and their children, from college age to kindergarten.”