The sound of gunfire in July 2024 marked a turning point — not just for Donald Trump, but for the entire world. In a stunning brush with death, Trump survived an assassination attempt that could have altered history. Now, for the first time, he’s sharing his personal account.
In an emotional interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, the former president recalls the moment that nearly ended his life — and the people who risked everything to protect him.
A Bullet to the Ear
On July 13, 2024, as Trump addressed a rally crowd in Pennsylvania, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed a rooftop nearby and opened fire.
One bullet grazed Trump’s ear. Another fatally struck Corey Comperatore, a retired fire chief who had come to the event with his family. Two more attendees were seriously wounded before a Secret Service sniper neutralized the shooter.
With the one-year anniversary of the attack approaching, Trump is finally speaking out in a candid conversation set to air on Fox News.
“I Got Whacked”
“It was unforgettable,” Trump said. “I didn’t know exactly what was going on. I got whacked. There’s no question about that.”
“Fortunately, I got down quickly. People were screaming. I got down quickly — fortunately — because I think they shot eight bullets.”
“One got me, and one got another one, and one got another one,” he said. “And one killed Corey, the firefighter. Great guy.”
Praise for the Agents — and Criticism of the Failures
While Trump commended the bravery of the Secret Service, he didn’t hold back criticism about how the shooter managed to get in position.
“They had a bad day,” Trump said. “I have great confidence in these people. I know them — they’re very talented, very capable. But they had a rough day. And I think they’ll admit that.”
“They should have had somebody in the building. They should have had communications with local police. They weren’t tied in — and they should have been. So there were mistakes made.”
Among those implicated was agent Myosoty Perez, who was assigned to secure the surrounding area. Her attorney, Larry Berger, confirmed she had been suspended and was cooperating with the investigation.
“She’s now deciding what the next steps will be,” Berger stated, clarifying she was not responsible for the overall security plan.
Six agents were suspended following the incident. The consequences have been especially difficult for the Comperatore family. Corey’s widow later said, “Our blood is all over their hands.”
“We Got a Little Bit Lucky”
Trump reserved his deepest gratitude for the sniper who stopped the shooter. Identifying him only as “David,” he credited the agent with saving many lives.
“He went about his business. Less than just about four seconds — and that’s when it all stopped. He got him perfectly, from a very long distance,” Trump said. “So we got a little bit lucky in that regard.”
Shockingly, just weeks after surviving the rally attack, Trump faced a second assassination attempt — this time at his West Palm Beach golf club. Secret Service agents shot a man who was reportedly pointing a gun through the club’s perimeter.
