Former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed to the New York Post on Sunday that he narrowly escaped death in an assassination attempt, describing the incident as a “very surreal experience.”
Trump recounted the harrowing event while on his plane headed to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. During the flight, he spoke candidly about the near-fatal encounter and the lingering shock.
With a white bandage over his right ear, he told the Post, “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead.”
The 78-year-old former president was attacked at a campaign rally on Saturday. A gunman fired a shot that struck Trump in the ear, leaving him with a bloody face. Tragically, a bystander was killed, and two others were injured in the chaos.
Trump attributed his survival to a small, but crucial, movement. He explained that while addressing the rally, he tilted his head slightly to the right to read a chart on illegal immigrants. This minor adjustment was enough to save his life. “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” he said.
He praised the swift response of the Secret Service agents who neutralized the threat. “They took him out with one shot right between the eyes,” Trump stated, commending their quick and precise action. “They did a fantastic job. It’s surreal for all of us.”
Images of Trump raising a defiant fist as he was quickly escorted by Secret Service agents spread rapidly on social media and made headlines worldwide.
Reflecting on the incident, Trump remarked, “A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen. They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture.”
In the aftermath of the attempt on his life, Trump disclosed that he decided to rewrite his speech for the Republican convention. Originally planning to deliver a harsh critique of President Biden’s administration, he opted for a more unifying message.
“I had prepared an extremely tough speech about Biden’s horrible administration. But I threw it away for one I hope will unite our country,” he said, though he expressed doubt about whether unity is achievable, given the current divisions in the country.
