Former President Donald Trump is set to return to the Butler Farm Show on October 5th for a rally, marking his first appearance since the assassination attempt in July that left him narrowly escaping with his life. Trump’s campaign confirmed the event on Wednesday, following reports from national media after his Monday night speech at Ed Fry Arena.
The July 13 incident at the Butler Farm Show saw Trump wounded by a gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. While Trump’s quick movement to read a chart spared him from a direct shot, a bullet grazed his ear. The attack tragically claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a former Buffalo Township fire chief, and seriously injured two other Trump supporters. report from CBS News.
Trump had previously vowed to return to Butler as a tribute to Comperatore, who was fatally wounded while trying to shield his family during the shooting. The upcoming October rally will be a significant event in honoring his sacrifice and reasserting Trump’s connection to his supporters in the area.
The confirmation of Trump’s return came amidst other developments in investigations surrounding the July 13 attempt and a more recent assassination plot targeting Trump. On Wednesday, the FBI announced that a federal grand jury had indicted Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man from Hawaii, for an attempted attack on Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course on September 15.
Additionally, the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, led by Congressman Mike Kelly (R-Butler) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), has begun its investigative proceedings. The task force is holding its first hearing today in Washington, D.C., to review the Butler incident. Key witnesses scheduled to testify include:
- Edward Lenz, Sergeant, Adams Township Police Department
- Drew Blasko, Patrolman, Butler Township Police Department
- Lt. John D. Herold, Pennsylvania State Police
- Patrick Sullivan, former Secret Service Agent
- Dr. Ariel Goldschmidt, Allegheny County Medical Examiner, who conducted the autopsy on Crooks
These testimonies are expected to shed more light on the events of July 13, including the motivations behind the attack and the coordinated response from local law enforcement.
As these investigations continue, authorities in Indiana County, where Trump’s Monday rally was held, are reflecting on the event’s success. Lt. Christopher Terrana, commander of the state police Troop A in Indiana, PA, praised the smooth coordination between law enforcement agencies, noting that no arrests were made and only three minor medical incidents occurred during the rally, which attracted 12,000 attendees. told by The Hill.
Robin A. Gorman, Indiana County Commissioner, also highlighted the cooperation among first responders and federal authorities, comparing it to the Indiana Area Collaborative Team (I-ACT), a group she co-chaired for a decade to handle large public events in the region.
Trump’s return to Butler on October 5th is anticipated to be a momentous occasion, both as a tribute to Comperatore and as a symbol of his resilience following the July assassination attempt. It is expected to draw significant attention, both from supporters and from authorities focused on ensuring his safety during future appearances.
