Supporters gather from dawn to dusk as Trump returns to Butler County
Former President Donald Trump knows success in Pennsylvania is crucial to winning the presidency.
“You must get out and you must vote,” Trump said as a rally that marked his return to Butler County entered its final moments Saturday.
Earlier in the speech, Trump talked about importance of the Keystone State’s voters.
“If we win Pennsylvania, the whole thing will be won,” Trump said.
“Together we will save the country,” Trump told the crowd.
He asked supporters to make the election “too big to rig.”
The rally ended promptly at 7:30 p.m. with the Village People standard “YMCA” blasting as people left the grounds.
As people filed out singer Chris Macchio. known for his White House performances, sang a short set after the rally that Leonard Cohen standard “Hallelujah.”
Live music serenading Trump supporters as they exit in Butler pic.twitter.com/9e6e5uJeoO
— Julia Burdelski (@JuliaBurdelski) October 5, 2024
During the rally Macchio also performed the classic Catholic hymn “Ave Maria” after a moment of silence to remember Corey Comperatore, the Buffalo Township man slain by the would-be assassin at the July 13 rally.
Country star Lee Greenwood was also in attendance and sang his standard “God Bless the USA” as the rally started.
The crowd, estimated at about 20,000, left behind litter and other debris. People cleared out quickly, although traffic moved slowly on the two-lane roads around the complex.
Attendees cleared out of the rally fairly quickly following the conclusion of his speech. Here’s a 360-degree view:
It was getting chilly @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/VMNKWkZyzL
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 6, 2024
Traffic is a nightmare getting out of the Butler Farm Show after the Trump Rally. Barely moving pic.twitter.com/kKYybC1FNK
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 6, 2024
Butler Farm Show grounds littered with discarded bottles and trash.@TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/NMOQymS9Z1
— Julia Burdelski (@JuliaBurdelski) October 5, 2024
Musk touts Trump’s toughness
The true testament of someone is how they perform under fire, Trump supporter Elon Musk, of X.com (Twitter) and Tesla fame, said after Trump called him to the stage.
Elon Musk has joined Donald Trump on the stage in Butler. He was met with a standing ovation.
“This election, I think it’s the most important election of our lifetime,” Musk said.@TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/MMjIhmwW08
— Julia Burdelski (@JuliaBurdelski) October 5, 2024
Trump praises Elon Musk, and brings him on stage. Said it is an honor to be here. "The true test of someone's character is how you respond under fire."
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
“President Trump must win to preserve Democracy in America,” Musk said.
Musk urged people to register to vote and asked for them to “vote, vote, vote” in the same way Trump said “fight, fight , fight” after Secret Service agents led him from the stage after he was shot July 13.
Trump started the night where he left off when the shots were fired 12 weeks ago.
But this time, he was behind bulletproof glass and snipers were visible on every building.
“As I was saying….” Trump said as a chart displaying illegal immigration rates was shown to a crowd that Trump said went as far as the eye could see.
“As I was saying…”
Former President @realDonaldTrump takes the stage in Butler, Pennsylvania for the first time since the assassination attempt in July.
He begins his speech right where he left off that day — showing the crowd an illegal immigration graph @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/siqac9WWHN
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
It was while turning to that very chart during the July 13 rally that an assassin’s bullet grazed his right ear.
Trump is alive because of “the hand of providence and the grace of God,” he said.
“Our movement to Make America Great Again stands stronger, more powerful and more united. A cold-blooded assassination aimed to silence me, and the greatest movement in the country, MAGA.”
At 6:11 p.m. — 12 weeks to the minute of the shooting — Trump asked for a moment of silence during which Catholic hymn “Ave Maria” was sung live by Macchio.
Trump is speaking from behind ballistic glass tonight.
He asked the crowd for a moment of silence with the sound of bells tolling at 6:11, when the shooting began on July 13 here in Butler.@TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/1dlyqeo39l
— Julia Burdelski (@JuliaBurdelski) October 5, 2024
Former President Donald Trump has taken the stage in Butler, where a would-be assassin injured him in July.
He was greeted by loud cheers and started his speech by putting on the video screens the graphic that had been up when the bullet grazed his ear.@TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/rQhommN9DC
— Julia Burdelski (@JuliaBurdelski) October 5, 2024
Former President Trump has taken to the stage at the Butler Farm Show as Lee Greenwood sings live on stage. pic.twitter.com/dQSAY28y1G
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
Before he took the stage, his daughter-in-law Lara painted the presidential race as a battle between good and evil and cast her family on the side of good.
The line evoked applause for Lara Trump, who is co-chair of the Republican National Committee and is married to Eric Trump.
“This is good vs. evil, and good is going to win this battle,” Lara Trump said here in Butler @TribLIVE
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
Before Lara’s brief address, Eric Trump recited a litany of grievances detailing claims of how people he termed “they” were against his father.
He claimed Democrats were behind the assassination attempt although the gunman was a registered Republican.
The attempt failed “because the Democratic Party can’t do anything right,” Eric Trump said.
Before they spoke, JD Vance, running to become vice president, spoke of his belief that God saved Trump’s life.
“This community has been very good to me and President Trump,” Vance said. “We won’t be denied and we’re going to make America great again and we’re going to do it together.”
Sen. JD Vance has taken the stage at the Butler Farm Show. He praises the Butler community for being so strong and resilient. pic.twitter.com/ovWIvXusB7
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
“I have a great companion in JD Vance,” Trump tells the crowd here in Butler @TribLIVE
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
Vance criticized Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and said she is raising the temperature and putting candidates in danger.
“How dare you talk about threats to democracy, Donald Trump took a bullet for democracy, what the hell have you done?” Vance said.
Country at a crossroads
With 31 days until Election Day, the country is at a crossroads, Republican Pennsylvania senatorial candidate Dave McCormick told the crowd.
“The choice could not be more stark,” said McCormick, who is challenging Bob Casey in the race.
It is a choice between the strength exuded by Trump and the weakness of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, he said.
Harris is vying to succeed Biden and become the first female president. Trump is seeking to become the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
Grover Cleveland served from 1885-1889 and 1893-1897.
Trump’s plane, dubbed Trump Force One, flew over a crowd of thousands of people who grounds, which straddles Butler and Connoquenessing township just outside the city of Butler.
Some people spent the night to get a good place in line.
Trump Force One doing a flyby of the rally at the Butler Farm Show. The return to Butler, Pa. has had a strong focus on spectacle, with a parachute team, and video produced by a Trump-supporting artist and now a flyby. pic.twitter.com/sMw05fGhQh
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
The rally included several tributes to Comperatore.
“Corey was more than a headline,” Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo told a crowd of thousands who returned to the Butler Farm Show complex to support Trump.
Comperatore, 50, was killed while shielding his wife and daughters from the gunfire at the rally. His family met with Trump privately at the rally.
“Together we will walk this path to recovery,” Longo said. “Butler County is more than a moment of horror.”
Video of the crowd here in Butler @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/jw4yeabOuP
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
Here’s a .5 shot of the front of the crowd in Butler.
As you can see, the podium is surrounded in glass @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/y0OsUimHVR
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
Here for Trump — and football
Jacki Quinto traveled more than 1,300 miles from Amarillo, Texas, to be in the crowd.
Quinto also came to town for the Cowboys-Steelers football came Sunday night.
“I think it’s very important to be here now,” she said, adding she wasn’t surprised Trump would return to the scene. “It’s what he should do.”
Quinto said she saw Trump during his 2016 campaign but was eager to see him again.
“He makes the country the way it should be,” she said. “He’s not a typical politician. He does so much for the country.”
When asked about security concerns after the shooting that happened in July, Quinto shook her head.
“I figure security will be awesome today,” she said.
Trump was expected to speak around 5 p.m. at the Butler Farm Show complex, and the crowd was expected to include members of his family, running mate JD Vance and the world’s richest man: Elon Musk.
Security was tight and snipers were visible.
Security has increased compared to last time with more snipers visible on roofs. The biggest change is there is a line of tow-truck cars creating a barrier between stage and where the gunman shot from in July 13. There is also protective glass on stage. pic.twitter.com/fVE749Joqo
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
Some snipers on the outskirts of the Butler Farm Show grounds @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/pO06Vd1Nhu
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
‘There is no place safer in America’
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, is leading the task force on a bipartisan committee probing the July assassination attempt.
Kelly said he’s confident in the security and work to prepare for the rally.
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, represents the area and is a staunch Trump ally. He spoke about why it was important for former President Trump to return to Butler. pic.twitter.com/OGFUFEfh3l
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
In light of the July 13 assassination attempt, Kelly said, the task force first determined that local law enforcement wasn’t at fault for what happened.
They then turned to finding solutions to ensure law enforcement was better prepared and operations went smoother this time around.
“The biggest difference between July and October is communication,” Kelly told TribLive at the rally Saturday.
Law enforcement at all levels are prepared to better communicate with each other, he said.
Another new security feature is a row of dozens of trailers parked along the venue to block sight lines into the event. Dozens of trailers were provided at no cost by local volunteers, Kelly said.
“There is no place safer in America – or maybe in the world – than Butler, Pennsylvania today,” Kelly said.
Kelly said he was pleased to see so many people coming together for the event.
“I think what it shows more than anything else is they can show their love for an individual who shows his love for his country,” Kelly said. “I think this showing of gratitude and love is a tremendous expression. This is a statement about the strength of America,” Kelly said.
Thad Paunovich, 30, of Delmont, said he was about 15 rows behind Trump during the July rally where the former president was grazed by a bullet.
“At the time, I had no idea what was happening,” he said. “All of a sudden I saw President Trump go down and the rest of the crowd began to take cover. I got down and took cover until I saw President Trump stand up. I stood up with him and noticed he was hit with blood flowing from his ear.”
Paunovich said he felt the former president “showed incredible courage and strength” when he told his supporters to “fight, fight, fight” in the moments after the shooting.
“Of course what happened back in July is on my mind coming back to Butler for a rally,” he acknowledged. “However I didn’t hesitate for a second on whether I should come back and show my support for Donald Trump. Donald Trump is a fighter and we as supporters have his back.”
Saturday marked Kelly Carroll’s first Trump Rally.
Carroll, 50, of West Deer, said she voted for Trump last election and plans to support him again in November.
“I had no qualms about coming today,” she said. “I just wanted to be part of it.”
Carroll said she wasn’t sure what to expect, since she’d never been to a rally before. So far, she said, she enjoyed what she called a friendly atmosphere. Carroll said she’d already struck up conversations with several other Trump supporters.
“It’s not going to change my vote,” Carroll said of the rally. “It’s just about being part of a bigger movement.”
Tina Hiotis, 56, of Erie, is attending her first Trump rally today in Butler. She’s previously been to a JD Vance rally, but this will be her first time seeing Trump in person.
Meet Tina Hiotis, 56, of Erie, who is attending her first Trump rally today in Butler. She's previously been to a JD Vance rally, but this will be her first time seeing Trump in person.
"I feel like this is part of history," she said.
Click below to read more @TribLIVE: pic.twitter.com/FS5Tv4UGyw
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
“I feel like this is part of history,” she said.
Hiotis said she believes the Butler Trump rally will have “awesome energy and vibes.”
“You can’t make a change if you don’t get out and vote, so you’ve got to do your part — whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat,” she said. “You got to vote.”
“I just want to be here just to see the guy — see a president live,” said attendee Sean Conner, 46, of Rostraver Township. “Can’t wait to see the man himself.”
Conner, sporting a MAGA red hat and Trump T-shirt, said he voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and used to be a Democrat.
“I started seeing stories that didn’t add up,” he said, explaining the shift to Trump supporter.
Early arrivals
Carson Vanallman, 12, of Tyrone in Blair County, arrived in Butler Saturday morning with his parents. He was excited to see the former president in person for the first time.
“I love his energy and what he brings to the table,” he said, despite the fact that he’s not old enough to vote yet.
Some attendees arrived more than 24 hours early Friday, eager to secure a prime spot in line.
Reporting from Butler, PA: Here’s a live look at the crowd awaiting former President @realDonaldTrump’s return for the first time since the attempted assassination in July.
Follow me, @RyanDeto and @JuliaBurdelski for coverage all day | @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/8KjxQoXoIW
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
Here is the crowd set up so far from the press riser. Rough estimate of crowd size looks like 5,000, but plenty of people still coming in. pic.twitter.com/Mct6mX2vB8
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
Line stretching through the parking lot at the Butler Farm Show grounds. Thousands here walking in now for the Trump rally. The former president is scheduled to speak at 5 pm. pic.twitter.com/ueoZm4DBce
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 5, 2024
The assassination attempt led to fallout within the Secret Service, including the resignation of the former head of the agency and the formation of a congressional task force to investigate the incident.
Meet Sean Conner, 46, of Rostraver Township, who has been a Trump supporter since 2017.
However, he voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 — and used to be a registered Democrat.
“I started seeing stories that didn’t add up.”
Read more of his interview for @TribLIVE below: pic.twitter.com/CFeAhlTYuf
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
The Trump campaign hired a private security firm for the event, according to Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche, chairperson of the board.
Butler-area residents were split on Trump’s return to the area, with some proud that the former president is coming back and others nervous Trump is putting himself in potential harm’s way.
Trump-themed trucks on display at the Butler rally @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/rhmxBQlyzl
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 5, 2024
Butler County is deep in Trump Country. The long-time Republican county in 2020 voted for Trump with 65% of its vote, compared to 33% for President Joe Biden.
This year’s race between Trump and his rival Vice President Kamala Harris is tight nationally, and in Pennsylvania. Polls have shown a close race between Harris and Trump, with the vice president up marginally.
The two have focused on the Pittsburgh-area more than any other region in the country. Both Harris and Trump have visited the region more than dozen times combined since July.
A view of the media riser, where most TV anchors, video and still photographers are crowded together in anticipation of Trumps remarks, happening shortly. Most have been waiting here since 9am. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/5AJYE8ftqT
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) October 5, 2024
A scene of the crowds here at the Butler Fairgrounds @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/aVzsd6g4Uz
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) October 5, 2024
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