Donald Trump Describes Assassination Attempt As He Accepts GOP Nomination

Donald Trump formally accepted the Republican nomination for president on Thursday (July 18), the final night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

It was the first speech that Trump gave since the assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump started off his speech by honoring Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who was killed during the rally, and David Dutch and James Copenhaver, two other attendees who were critically injured.

"Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, and seriously wounded two other great warriors, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. I spoke to all three families of these tremendous people—our love and prayers are with them, and always will be," Trump said. "Corey, a highly respected former fire chief... was accompanied by his wife Helen... and two precious daughters. He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets... what a fine man he was," Trump said.

He then walked across the stage to a display featuring Comperatore's firefighting helmet and jacket and asked for a moment of silence.

Trump then went on to describe how he turned his head seconds before the bullets grazed his ear.

"In order to see the chart, I started to turn to my right and was ready to begin a further turn, which I'm lucky I didn't when I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me, really hard on my right ear," Trump explained. "I said to myself, 'Wow, what was that—it can only be a bullet,'—and moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down, and my hand was covered with blood, just blood all over the place. I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack, and in one movement, proceeded to drop to the ground."

Trump went on to praise the crowd at the rally for staying relatively calm as shots rang out.

"Tens of thousands of people stood by and didn't move an inch. In fact, many of them bravely, but automatically, stood up looking for where the sniper would be, and then began pointing at him."

"But that isn't the reason they didn't move—the reason is that they knew I was in serious trouble, they saw all of the blood and thought I was dead, and they just didn't want to leave me, and you can see that love written all over their faces," he said.

"I am not supposed to be here tonight," Trump said.

The crowd then started chanting: "Yes, you are."

"I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God," Trump added.

Trump then spoke about the moment he raised his fist in the air as the Secret Service escorted him off the stage.

"Once my clenched fist went up, high into the air, the crowd realized I was okay and roared with pride for our country, like no crowd I have ever heard before," Trump said. "For the rest of my life, I will be grateful for the love shown by that giant audience of patriots that stood bravely on that fateful evening in Pennsylvania."

Trump said he would not back down after the assassination attempt.

"No matter what obstacle comes our way: We will not break. We will not bend. We will not back down. And I will never stop fighting for you, your family and our magnificent country," he said.

"This election should be about the issues facing our country and how to make America successful, safe, free and great again," he added. "In an age when our politics too often divide us, now is the time to remember that we are all fellow citizens — we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Trump then went on to make his case to voters for a return to the White House. He attacked the Biden administration's failures and vowed to work to fix the problems facing the country.

Trump spoke about immigration, bringing up the chart showing the levels of immigration over the course of several years. It was the same chart he was reading as he was shot during his rally.

"Less than four years ago, I handed this administration the strongest border in American history, but you can see on the chart that saved my life... that was the chart that saved my life," Trump said. "Last time I put up that chart I never really got to look at it. Without this chart, I would not be here today."

Trump also vowed to bring jobs and manufacturing back to America.

"The way they will sell their product in America is to build it in America, very simple — build it in America and only in America,” Trump said. “This very simple formula will create massive numbers of jobs and we will take over the auto industry again.”

Trump also promised to lower taxes, telling Americans they are "paying too much. We’re going to reduce your taxes still further."

Trump wrapped up his speech after 93 minutes, making it the longest acceptance speech in history.

"America's future will be bigger, better, bolder, brighter, happier, stronger, freer, greater and more united than ever before," he said. "And quite simply put we will very quickly make America great again."