By Charles Switzer
2:26am PDT, Mar 19, 2025
A 'Defining Moment'
The gunfire that erupted at
Donald Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Penn., on July 13, 2024, will remain for many, a pivotal moment in American political history.
The shocking
assassination attempt on the former president unfolded in front of a crowd of supporters, leaving a lasting impact on the nation. Journalist
Alex Isenstadt, the author of
Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power, exclusively provided
RadarOnline.com with a behind-the-scenes account of the harrowing event and its aftermath, revealing the chaos, resilience and determination that followed.
Here are four key revelations the author told the outlet.
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The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
During his speech at the rally, then-former President Donald Trump was suddenly targeted by a gunman, later identified as 20-year-old
Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired eight shots from an AR-15-style rifle. One of the bullets grazed Trump's upper right ear, but the situation escalated further when the assailant's gunfire fatally struck attendee
Corey Comperatore and injured two others.
The Secret Service reacted swiftly, eliminating the threat while simultaneously shielding Trump.
Amid the unfolding panic, agents surrounded Trump as he took cover behind the podium. One agent,
Sean Curran, physically shielded him from further danger. According to Isenstadt, attendees who had moments earlier been cheering and waving campaign signs were now ducking in terror.
The protective detail acted with urgency, forming a human shield around Trump before leading him to safety.
Trump's Unshaken Resolve
Despite the near-deadly encounter, Donald Trump remained focused on unexpected details in the aftermath. As agents guided him offstage, he insisted on
retrieving his shoes, which had slipped off during the chaos.
The shoes, made by Swiss manufacturer Bally, had been turned into slip-ons for convenience. Witnesses noted that he momentarily searched for them before standing, appearing visibly dazed.
Soon after, in a moment that would become widely remembered, Trump raised his fist in defiance, repeating,
"Fight, fight, fight!" While the public saw only this brief rallying cry, Alex Isenstadt's account details what happened once cameras stopped rolling.
As he descended the stairs, Trump clung to one agent for support while the loyal Sean Curran stayed by his side. Once they reached his SUV, he raised his arm once more before being whisked away to receive medical attention.
Emergency Response and Hospital Scene
Upon arrival at Butler Memorial Hospital, Donald Trump's security team moved quickly to secure the facility. His closest aides —
Susie Wiles, Steven Cheung, Dan Scavino and
Walt Nauta — headed straight for the emergency room as the hospital entered lockdown.
Secret Service agents stood guard with their weapons drawn while medical staff cleared an area for the former president, the scribe told
RadarOnline.com.Once inside, hospital workers placed Trump on a stretcher and removed his bloodstained clothes, leaving him in an undershirt and suit pants. His iconic red MAGA hat, now soaked in blood, was set aside. The shoes he had been so determined to find earlier were left behind at the rally stage, later retrieved and brought to him that evening.
As he processed what had happened, Trump reportedly made a prediction: "This is going to make some news."
Media Frenzy and Trump's Reflection
As news outlets scrambled for updates, misinformation spread rapidly. Some reports falsely claimed Donald Trump had died, forcing his team to release an immediate statement assuring the public he was "fine." Meanwhile, Trump underwent a CT scan to check for a concussion, which came back clear. He requested a copy of the scan, jokingly telling a nurse, "I want to show reporters that my cognitive function is 100 percent. You can't say the same about
Joe Biden."Eager to assess the gravity of the incident, Trump also requested to see photos of
the attack, including one image showing a bullet lodged near his head and another capturing him, bloodied but defiant, raising his fist with the American flag behind him. Upon viewing the photos, he reportedly remarked, "Wow, that's iconic. That's the most American picture I've ever seen." Before leaving the hospital, he was handed his bloodied clothing and quipped, "This is going into the museum."
Following the incident, Trump made a full recovery, though he later remarked that his ear still throbbed from the injury. Just four months later, he went on to win the U.S. Presidential Election against Democratic candidate
Kamala Harris, cementing the moment as a turning point in his political comeback.
