Additional Coverage:
Trump Returns to Butler After Assassination Attempt
On July 13th, journalists witnessed a horrific event at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A gunman fired shots towards the stage, narrowly missing the former president and killing a firefighter.
Two journalists who covered the attack returned to the site 84 days later for another Trump rally. While the stage was set up similarly, there were notable differences. The building where the shooter had fired from was now obstructed by tractor trailers, and snipers were stationed throughout the rally.
The crowd was larger than at any previous Trump rally the journalists had attended. However, the mood was different. The journalists felt a sense of shock when the speaker paused for a medical emergency, recalling the chaos of the July 13th attack.
Despite the trauma, the journalists returned to finish their job. They noted that the race had changed since the assassination attempt, and so had they.
One speaker at the rally, Dr. James Sweetland, a former Democrat, urged the crowd to find common ground with people of different political views. He said that even though Democrats may seem dismissive, they do listen.
The journalists concluded that the events of July 13th had a profound impact on them and the entire race.