A Pittsburgh man who witnessed the assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pa., last weekend recounted his experience at the rally. Bob Crankovic, an active member of local Republican circles, was sitting behind Trump just off his right shoulder when the incident occurred.
During the rally, Thomas Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., attempted to kill Trump but ended up shooting him in the ear as the former president turned to explain a border policy graphic. Crankovic described the chaos that ensued as Secret Service agents quickly reacted to protect Trump.
Despite the alarming turn of events, Crankovic noted the surprising reaction of the crowd. He mentioned that after the shots were fired, he immediately took cover, only to witness the rally attendees erupting in cheers and showing unwavering support for the president.
Reflecting on his experience, Crankovic shared that this was approximately his fourth Trump rally and that the atmosphere at the beginning was similar to previous events, with attendees donning red hats and American flag-themed attire.
As Trump was attended to by security personnel, Crankovic observed the intense emotions of the crowd, who cheered loudly as the president rose back to his feet. The swift response of the Secret Service and the resilience displayed by Trump in the face of danger left a lasting impression on Crankovic and others present at the rally.