In RNC Speech, Trump Gives Detailed Account Of Assassination Attempt

Donald Trump began his speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday by telling the story of his brush with death less than a week prior.

“So many people have asked me what happened, and therefore, I’ll tell you what happened — and you’ll never hear it from me a second time, because it’s too painful to tell,” Trump said.

Speaking in a calm, subdued tone, and still wearing a white bandage on his ear, the former president started by saying it was a “warm beautiful day” in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was holding a rally on Saturday.

“I heard a loud whizzing sound, and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear,” Trump said. “I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet.’ And moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down. My hand was covered with blood.”

Trump then described Secret Service agents swarming him as bullets continued to fly. A screen behind the president showed a New York Times photo that captured a bullet whizzing past his head.

“There was blood pouring everywhere, and yet, in a certain way, I felt very safe because I had God on my side,” Trump said.

It was the most detailed account of the assassination attempt Trump has given. He commended his supporters for remaining in place instead of running for their own lives because, he said, they were concerned for him. A Secret Service sniper, he said, then killed the would-be assassin with a single shot.

“The crowd was confused, because they thought I was dead, and there was great, great sorrow,” Trump continued. “I could see that on their faces.”

At one point, Trump said, “I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” and the crowd started chanting, “Yes, you are.”

As Trump spoke, the C-SPAN broadcast showed