Donald Trump Breaks Silence One Year After Assassination Attempt: “I Got Whacked”
It was a moment that stunned the nation and nearly changed the course of U.S. history. On July 13, 2024, gunshots rang out during a Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania — and within seconds, the former president’s life was nearly cut short.
Now, almost a year later, Donald Trump is sharing his side of the story in an emotional interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, set to air on Fox News. The former president not only recounts the chaos of that day but also offers rare insight into how the near-death experience changed his perspective — and why he believes the system failed.
A Bullet to the Ear and a Nation in Shock
The gunman, later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had scaled a rooftop near the rally site and opened fire on the crowd below. One bullet grazed Trump’s ear. Two other people were seriously wounded. Tragically, 50-year-old retired fire chief Corey Comperatore — who had attended the rally with his family — was killed.
Trump credits the quick action of Secret Service agents and a skilled sniper for saving countless lives.
“Well, it was unforgettable. I didn’t know exactly what was going on. I got whacked. There’s no question about that,”
Trump said in the interview.
“Fortunately, I got down quickly. People were screaming… I think they shot eight bullets. One got me, and one got another one, and one killed Corey, the firefighter. Great guy.”
Security Failures Spark Questions
In the months that followed, scrutiny fell heavily on the security protocols that day. Trump didn’t mince words when asked about those lapses.
<blockquote>“They had a bad day. And I think they’ll admit that. They had a rough day,”</blockquote> he said of the Secret Service and local law enforcement.
He pointed to communication breakdowns and the failure to secure the nearby building as critical missteps.
“They should have had somebody in the building. They should have had communications with the local police… and they weren’t tied in, and they should have been tied in. So there were mistakes made.”
Among those held accountable was agent Myosoty Perez, who was reportedly assigned to monitor the surrounding area. Her attorney confirmed that she had been suspended and was cooperating with investigators, although she was not in charge of the overall security plan.
Six agents were ultimately suspended following internal reviews.
“Our Blood Is on Their Hands”
The family of Corey Comperatore, the rallygoer killed in the attack, has publicly expressed their heartbreak and frustration. His widow delivered a blunt message in a press briefing:
“Our blood is all over their hands.”
The fallout left a scar not only on the Trump campaign but on the nation’s trust in its protective services. Yet Trump’s gratitude toward those who stepped up in time remains steadfast.
“We Got a Little Bit Lucky”
Referring to the Secret Service sniper who ended the threat, Trump praised the agent’s sharp aim and quick decision-making.
“He went about his business. Less than just about four seconds, and that’s when it all stopped and he got him perfectly from a very long distance,”
Trump said.
“So we got a little bit lucky in that regard.”
Another Attempt Weeks Later
Shockingly, the Pennsylvania incident wasn’t the only threat Trump faced in the span of weeks. In a separate event at his West Palm Beach golf club, a second assassination attempt unfolded when a man reportedly pointed a firearm through the perimeter fence. Secret Service agents opened fire before he could cause harm.
A Sobering Reminder
The one-year anniversary of the 2024 assassination attempt is more than just a date on the calendar — it’s a reminder of how fragile public life can be and how a single lapse can lead to irreversible tragedy.
Trump, now the 47th President of the United States, remains one of the most polarizing — and protected — figures in American politics. His message now carries not just political weight, but the gravity of personal survival.
