Donald Trump Explains 'Exactly What Happened' At Rally Shooting

The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump continues to be a hot topic amongst the nation, as Americans eagerly await details to emerge surrounding the gunman and a possible motive.

As The Blast reported, shortly after Trump appeared at the Pennsylvania rally, gunfire erupted, leading Secret Service agents to swiftly gather around the 78-year-old for his protection. One bullet nearly missed his head and, instead, grazed his right ear.

Early the following morning, the FBI identified the shooter, who was killed by the Secret Service seconds after the first shot was fired, as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

As the investigation into a possible motive continues, former President Donald Trump spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, addressing the tragic events that occurred over the weekend.

At the 2024 RNC, former president Donald Trump recalled what happened during his rally in Pennsylvania last weekend.

"I will tell you exactly what happened, and you'll never hear it from me a second time because it's actually too painful to tell," Trump began. "I went onto the stage, and the crowd [was] cheering wildly. Everybody was happy."

The former president went on to explain how there was a "large screen" behind him "to the right" displaying a chart of border crossings under his leadership. "In order to see the chart, I started to turn like this," he demonstrated as he slightly moved his head to the right. "I was ready to begin [turning] a little bit further, which I'm very lucky I didn't do, when I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear."

"I said to myself, 'Wow what was that? It could only be a bullet.' And moved my right hand to my right ear, brought it down. My hand was covered with blood," Trump recalled. "Just absolutely blood all over the place. I immediately knew it was very serious that we were under attack."

The 78-year-old continued to tell the nation what happened on Saturday, addressing the Secret Service, who immediately jumped into action to protect him.

"And in one movement, proceeded to drop to the ground. Bullets were continuing to fly as very brave Secret Service agents rushed to the stage and pounced on top of me so that I would be protected," the former president said at the event. "There was blood pouring everywhere, and yet, in a certain way, I felt very safe because I had God on my side."

"If I had not moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit his mark, and I would not be here tonight," Trump continued. "We would not be together."

During a conversation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the former president said the bullet that grazed his ear "felt like the world's largest mosquito, and it was ... it was a bullet. What do they call that? An AR-15? That was a big gun ... pretty tough guns, right?"

As The Blast reported, an AR-15-style rifle was found at the scene, which was later confirmed to have been registered to the suspect's father. It was purchased legally.

Shortly after the attempted assassination on Saturday, Trump took to his social media Truth Social account to break his silence.

"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country."

"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening," Trump added.

"GOD BLESS AMERICA!" he concluded.

The following morning, Donald Trump released a follow-up statement: "We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness."

"Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed," he said. "In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win."