Former President Donald Trump has opened up about the aftermath of a shooting incident at one of his rallies, revealing that he has not sought counseling despite suggestions from friends.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail, Trump discussed the impact of the event on his life and campaign, six weeks after a bullet grazed his ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump, 78, mentioned that the incident had not affected him mentally and that he did not see a need for counseling. He expressed surprise at his own resilience, saying, "A couple of people have asked me that, and I have had no impact. It's just amazing." The former president went on to describe the incident in spiritual terms, suggesting it reinforced the importance of his political mission.
The shooting occurred in July while Trump was addressing a crowd at a rally in Pennsylvania. A gunshot echoed through the audience, and Trump raised his hand to his bloody ear before being quickly shielded by Secret Service agents. Despite the potential trauma of such an event, Trump claimed he had experienced no flashbacks or bad dreams typically associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Trump resumed his trademark rallies a week after the incident, initially holding them indoors before returning to outdoor venues with the added protection of a bulletproof screen. He emphasized that he doesn't dwell on the shooting, stating, "I don't want to think about it a lot, but I've had ... no it's had no impact. It healed up."
The former president also shared a more metaphysical interpretation of the event. He suggested that divine intervention may have played a role in his narrow escape from serious injury.
During the interview at his Mar-a-Lago home, which serves as his political headquarters, Trump discussed various aspects of his campaign and family life. He expressed satisfaction with the state of his campaign, noting recent developments such as winning the endorsement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had ended his independent run.
Trump also touched on the involvement of his wife, Melania, and youngest son, Barron, now 18, in his campaign efforts. While specific details of their roles were not provided, the mention suggests a continued family presence in his political endeavors.
The former president addressed the changing landscape of the 2024 presidential race, acknowledging that his once solid lead in the polls had diminished following Joe Biden's decision to step aside and allow Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
Trump expressed a belief that the shooting incident may have had a higher purpose, linking it to his political ambitions and vision for the country. He stated:
And you know what I'd love to think, I would love to think it's God, and it's God doing it because he wants to save America. He sees what's happening. God sees what's happening in America.
The former president continued to elaborate on this perspective, suggesting that divine intervention may have saved him for a greater purpose:
You look at the charts, and I would like to say that it is God that saved me. It wasn't just just luck, but the reason would be that he saved me, because I can save this country. I hope that's right.
These statements reflect Trump's view of his political role as a mission with potentially spiritual significance, framing his campaign and survival of the shooting incident within a broader context of national destiny.
Donald Trump's reflections on the shooting incident reveal a complex narrative intertwining personal resilience, political ambition, and spiritual beliefs. He dismissed suggestions of counseling, maintained his campaign momentum, and interpreted the event through a lens of divine purpose. Trump's comments provide insight into his mindset as he continues his 2024 presidential campaign, balancing personal experiences with broader political goals.
