Former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Evan Bucci | AP
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, which has been rocked by chaos since he opened fire in an attempt to assassinate the Republican presidential candidate on July 13, leaving one crowd member dead.
Trump first announced plans to return to Butler in July, 13 days after the rally shooting.
With about four weeks left until the Nov. 5 election and early voting well underway, the Trump campaign has been working to increase the hype surrounding the Butler event. This could be one of Trump’s last high-profile opportunities to make his case to the American public in a key swing state.
“Saturday Deacon — Historic!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.
But Trump returns to Butler in a very different presidential race.
Ahead of Butler’s first visit, Trump was still basking in President Joe Biden’s disastrous performance in the June 27 debate, which had raised Democratic doubts about the candidate’s ability to win re-election.
Afterwards, Biden dropped out of the primary, and Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic candidate and began to erode Trump’s advantage.
Trump’s second Butler rally will also highlight his new entourage.
Tesla CEO and new Trump ally Elon Musk announced he would speak at Saturday’s rally. Musk officially endorsed Trump just hours after the assassination attempt on Butler, a stark turning point in their previously hostile relationship.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, is also scheduled to deliver an opening speech.
The family of Corey Comperatore, a crowd member who was shot and killed at a rally in July, is also expected to join, according to the campaign.
Heading into Saturday’s rally, the Secret Service said it had strengthened its security plans.
The Butler shooting has placed the Secret Service under intense scrutiny as questions persist about how a gunman could come within shooting range of a former president at a public event. This anger grew after Trump was the target of another assassination attempt last September.
Last Friday, the Secret Service promised “comprehensive changes and enhancements” to its communications capabilities and resources.
“The former president is under heightened protection and we take our responsibility to ensure his safety and security very seriously,” spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
