Former President Donald Trump hosted his first campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan since the attempted murder with thousands gathering to support him.
At one point during the rally, while speaking to a crowd at the Van Andel Arena, Trump said he “took a bullet for democracy.”
Trump and his new VP running mate JD Vance were able to attract more than 12,000 attendees to the rally, following their successful Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee.
“They keep saying he’s a threat to democracy. I’m saying, ‘’What the hell did I do to democracy?’ Last week I took a bullet for democracy,” Trump said as the crowd cheered, referencing an often used Democrat talking point. “What did I do against democracy? Crazy.”
Vance, who spoke before Trump, took a portion of his stage time to slam Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I’ve served in the United States Marine Corps … What the hell have you done?” Vance said.
“What has she done other than collect a check from her political offices?” he asked, before going on to talk about his grandmother, who he calls “Mamaw,” and his upbringing.
This comes after Harris criticized Vance’s speech during the RNC by saying, “It was compelling. It’s a compelling story. But it’s not the full story. Frankly, what is very telling is what he did not talk about on that stage. He did not talk about Project 2025, the 900-page blueprint for a second term. He did not talk about it because their plans are extreme, and they are divisive.”
Trump then continued to talk on the events of the assassination attempt and those supporters who were injured and killed.
“We continue to pray for the recovery of the two citizens who were wounded in that evil attack – David Dutch and James Copenhaver, two really incredible people,” the Republican frontrunner said. “We remain in contact and send our deepest respect to the families.”
In regards to the one supporter who lost his life, Trump said, “Corey Comparatore was a brave firefighter who died, [his] funeral [was] yesterday. Corey was a hero. And we will carry his memory in our hearts for all time.”
Trump then went on to discuss electric cars when he suddenly recognized an audience member who was a union member.
“Are you the same guy? Yes? No kidding,” Trump said. “Pretty good memory, right? Unlike somebody else that I happen to be running against.”
The Republican then encouraged the worker to get up on stage and joked around with him.
“He’s a serious union guy, a United Auto Workers [worker],” Trump said. “He does not carry guns. Come on up here, look at him. Look at the shape he’s in.”
