Following a failed attempt on his life during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night, former US President Donald Trump declared that he was “meant to be dead.”
During the first interview following the incident, Mr. Trump expressed to conservative US media that he believed he was saved “by God or by luck.”
The bullet that skimmed his ear might have easily killed him, he said, adding, “The most astonishing thing was that I occurred to not only turn [my head], but to turn at the exact correct time and in just the right quantity.”
“I’m supposed to be dead, I’m not supposed to be here,” he said.
The incident claimed the life of a spectator and left two more critically injured. Thomas Matthew Crooks has been identified as the gunman, who also died.
Mr. Trump explained what happened when he realized he had been shot and looked up at the crowd.
“The folks there at that precise moment just stood there, exuding energy. Though it is difficult to put into words, I sensed that everyone was watching.
“I knew that history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are OK,” he told the Washington Examiner.
Mr. Trump declared he now had a “opportunity to bring the country together” as he was getting ready to board a plane to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he is anticipated to be officially announced as the party’s presidential nominee.
He said his speech would now be completely different instead of the “humdinger” aimed mostly at current President Joe Biden’s policies he had previously planned.
“Had [Saturday’s attack] not happened, this would’ve been one of the most incredible speeches.
“Honestly, it’s going to be a whole different speech now. It is a chance to bring the country together.”
What Was the Assassination Attempt on Trump?
Mr. Trump earlier stated that he had planned to postpone his trip to Wisconsin by two days on his social media network, Truth Social.
But he added that he was sticking to his original schedule, saying, “I cannot allow a’shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force a change to scheduling”.
Mr. Trump said that the assassination attempt “has had an impact” on him.
The 20-year-old would-be assassin Crooks was shot dead on the spot by the Secret Service, but nothing is known about his motivations.
The FBI has said that while its investigation suggests Crooks acted alone, it would continue to look into whether the kitchen worker had received help.
Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer fire chief, was identified as the spectator slain in Saturday’s attack. Comperatore lost his life attempting to defend his family.
In a televised address following the attack, President Biden called for the “temperature of politics” to be lowered.
“We cannot, must not, go down this road again. We’ve travelled it before in our history,” said Mr Biden, listing off a growing number of violent political acts that have taken place in the US in recent years.
“In America, we resolve our differences at the ballot box,” he added. “At the ballot box. Not with bullets.”
