Former President Donald Trump has credited an immigration chart displayed on a screen next to him during his rally speech for saving his life when a nearby gunman attempted to shoot him. Trump was addressing the audience in Butler, Pennsylvania, when he turned to view the border patrol statistics and moved his head just a quarter of an inch away from the path of the bullet fired by 20-year-old Thomas Crooks.
Trump told Fox News’ Brett Baier that he looked at the chart early on during his speech, causing him to be shot in the ear instead of the head. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), who served as Trump’s White House physician, also recalled their conversation about the life-saving chart with the New York Times.
He goes, ‘The border patrol saved my life.’ He said, ‘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,'” Jackson told the outlet.
The 45th president described the events unfolding rapidly before him and then diving down to be protected by Secret Service agents. Trump was amazed by how quickly everything happened and feels blessed to be alive today, as reported by Baier.
Trump referenced a picture taken by New York Times’ photographer Doug Mills that showed the bullet flying through the air, and he mentioned that the doctor he spoke to said “if that bullet was a quarter of an inch different position, he would not be talking to that doctor today.
After being shot, Trump wanted to go back on stage to address the crowd but was stopped by Secret Service agents. He later flew to New Jersey and posted on Truth Social about attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee as planned.
Trump mentioned making some changes to his convention speech based on recent events, including inviting former 2024 rival Nikki Haley to speak. In a conversation with President Biden following the assassination attempt, Trump praised the president for his phone call and shared their condolences for the fatally shot victim at the rally.
