Nearly a year after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump shared his harrowing experience with Fox News, recounting the critical moments that may have saved his life. During an exclusive interview on “My View with Lara Trump,” he described the chaos and quick actions that unfolded during the incident. “I didn’t know exactly what was going on. I got a whack,” Trump recalled, emphasizing the confusion and urgency of the situation. “People were screaming, and I got down quickly, fortunately, because I think they shot eight bullets.”

The attack occurred on July 13, 2024, when 20-year-old Thomas Crooks opened fire from a rooftop during Trump’s rally in Butler. One bullet struck Trump in the upper ear, while others hit bystanders, including 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore, who tragically lost his life while protecting his family. Trump paid tribute to Comperatore during the interview, acknowledging his bravery and sacrifice.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Secret Service agents acted swiftly to protect Trump, whose face was streaked with blood. A Secret Service sniper neutralized Crooks within seconds, preventing further casualties. Trump credited this rapid response for averting a greater tragedy. “Our sniper, within less than five seconds, was able to get him from a long distance with one shot,” he said. “If he didn’t do that, you would have had an even worse situation.”

Despite ongoing investigations by the FBI and Justice Department, no official motive has been released for the attack. Recently, six Secret Service agents were suspended without pay due to their roles in the incident. A forthcoming Senate report is expected to shed light on what went wrong in Butler.

Calls for transparency have intensified since the shooting, with Trump himself seeking accountability. However, he expressed satisfaction with the briefings received from Attorney General Pam Bondi and praised her leadership at the Justice Department.

Trump acknowledged security lapses on that day, noting that better coordination with local authorities could have prevented some issues. Despite these challenges, he maintains confidence in federal authorities’ capabilities. “I have great confidence in these people,” he stated. “I know the people, and they’re very talented, very capable, but they had a bad day.”