Donald Trump told a rally in Michigan that he “took a bullet for democracy” after an attempt was made on his life last week.
Thousands attended Trump’s first rally with his new running mate JD Vance, and his first since surviving the assassination attempt.
Speaking to a packed arena in Grand Rapids, Trump stated that Democrats have accused him of being “a threat to democracy” and, to huge applause, declared he was ready to “take back the White House.”
An investigation is ongoing into last weekend’s shooting, which left Trump with a wounded ear. The prominent white bandage he wore during the Republican National Convention had been replaced by a discreet flesh-toned plaster.
Trump was not scheduled to speak until 17:00 EST (21:00 GMT), but by 13:00, a line stretched about three miles (4.8 km) outside the 12,000-person Van Andel Arena.
Many attendees, in the battleground state of Michigan, told the BBC that the assassination attempt—which killed an audience member and wounded two others—would not deter their support for the Republican presidential nominee.
Some even said they attended precisely because of the shooting.
Unlike the previous rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Grand Rapids event was held indoors, allowing security officers to closely monitor attendees and prevent external threats.
In his speech, Trump thanked the “thousands and thousands” of people who came to see him “almost exactly” a week after the assassination attempt.
“I stand before you only by the grace of almighty God,” he said, repeating his belief that divine intervention saved him from being killed.
Wendy and Steve Upcott of Clarkston, Michigan, were among the thousands who drove from all over the state to see him, many reassured by the increased security.
The couple said their 26-year-old daughter begged them not to attend the event two hours from home, fearing for their safety in the wake of the assassination attempt. But they felt obliged to come after the shooting last weekend.
“The chances of it happening again just one week to the day later is unlikely,” said Ms Upcott.
Them and many others in Grand Rapids were decked out in red Make America Great Again caps, along with cowboy hats, shirts and full outfits resembling the American flag. T-shirts with Trump’s mug shot were also for sale.
Laura Schultz said she thought about her safety on Saturday morning before she decided to come to the event with a friend.
“You can’t let fear stop you,” she said.
Other rally-goers, including several young adults, said the assassination attempt pushed them to attend the Michigan rally.
It was the first Trump campaign event for fellow Donald, a 24 year old from Grand Rapids, who wore a shirt with the viral image of Trump pumping his fist after being shot.
“This is the first event after the attempted assassination. I think it’s probably going to be the most important rally,” he said, declining to share his last name.
Donald said he had no fears for his own safety, because of the hundreds of police officers, including some on horseback.
But others said they remained scared for Trump.
“It should be a concern for most Americans that he is still not safe,” Ms Upcott said.
“He needs to be very careful,” said Ms Schultz.
Other supporters expressed outrage at the US Secret Service over last week’s incident.
The agency has faced intense scrutiny after shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to target Trump in Pennsylvania by climbing onto a roof near the rally stage, even though rallygoers had pointed him out to police.
Investigators have yet to determine a motive for the 20-year-old gunman, who was later killed by Secret Service agents.
Since then, the nation has become more vigilant about potential threats to both presidential candidates. On Friday, police in Jupiter, Florida, arrested a man for allegedly posting threats to Trump on social media, while another Florida man was arrested a few days earlier for allegedly threatening President Joe Biden.
Saturday’s indoor event space in Michigan was much easier to secure, with metal detectors and military personnel sweeping the entire building, according to former Secret Service agent Jason Russell, who has worked on campaign events at the Grand Rapids arena.
“You’ll have a pretty, pretty significant number of agents on site,” Mr Russell said, adding that they would be able to keep Trump out of view until his entrance.
This rally was one of several campaign stops the former president has made in the key battleground state, as polls show him in a close race against Mr. Biden.
The event followed the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump officially accepted his party’s presidential nomination and delivered his first public address since the assassination attempt.
It also marked the first time Trump appeared on the campaign trail with his vice-presidential pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Meanwhile, Mr. Biden has had to pause campaign events after testing positive for Covid-19. He continues to face growing calls from members of his own party to drop out of the race due to concerns about his age and cognitive abilities.
Trump has largely remained silent about the Democrats’ internal issues, but on Saturday he told the crowd they have a “couple of problems.”
“They don’t know who their candidate is, and neither do we,” he said.
On Saturday, Dr. Ronny Jackson, the former White House physician, released a statement regarding Trump’s condition following his examination.
Dr. Jackson reported that the bullet caused a 2cm-wide wound on Trump’s ear, extending to the cartilage, but noted that it is starting to “heal properly” and did not require stitches.
Additionally, Trump’s campaign announced that its next rally is scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 24 at the Bojangles Coliseum.
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