Former President Trump said he will return to Butler County, the site of an assassination attempt against him , for a rally to honor the life of the firefighter killed in the shooting. Trump posted on Truth Social Friday afternoon that he will be holding a “big and beautiful rally” to honor former Buffalo Township volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore, as well as Marine veteran David Dutch, of Plum, and Moon Township’s James Copenhaver, who were both injured in the July 13 shooting. “What a day it will be — fight, fight, fight,” Trump wrote, referencing the words he shouted to the crowd at the Butler Farm Show after a bullet grazed his ear.
“I will be going back to Butler, Pennsylvania.” I WILL BE GOING BACK TO BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR A BIG AND BEAUTIFUL RALLY, HONORING THE SOUL OF OUR BELOVED FIREFIGHTING HERO, COREY, AND THOSE BRAVE PATRIOTS INJURED TWO WEEKS AGO. WHAT A DAY IT WILL BE — FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS.
@realDonaldTrump Donald...
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 26, 2024 It’s unclear where and when the rally will be held. Trump wrote in his post that details will be provided later.
A representative from the Butler Farm Show said they had not heard of any rally plans when reached by phone. Farm show board member Ken Laughlin did not immediately return a call. In the past, Trump has held rallies at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.
Airport Manager Stephanie Saracco said the Trump campaign had not contacted them about using the airport. Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe said he has not been made aware of any Trump rally plans. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said he is aware of Trump’s social media post, but he cannot confirm when or if Trump will rally in Butler again.
The surprise announcement comes as Trump’s likely opponent , Vice President Kamala Harris, has been gaining momentum this week . Polls taken after President Joe Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris have shown the vice president gaining several points and closing the gap against Trump. Her campaign has also raised hundreds of millions of dollars since Sunday.
Trump is holding a rally in Harrisburg on July 31 , his first return to Pennsylvania since the shooting. Staff writer Justin Vellucci contributed to this report..
