The gunshots that shattered a summer afternoon in July 2024 stopped the world in its tracks. In a moment that could have rewritten history, former President Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt — and now, he’s finally telling the full story.
In an emotional sit-down with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, the former president opens up for the first time about the day that changed everything.
“I Got Whacked”
On July 13, 2024, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed onto a rooftop near a Pennsylvania campaign rally and opened fire as Trump addressed a sea of supporters.
One bullet tore past Trump’s head, grazing his ear. Another struck and killed Corey Comperatore, a retired fire chief who had brought his family to see Trump speak. Two more rallygoers were critically injured before Crooks was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper.
Now, as the one-year anniversary of the attack approaches, Trump is breaking his silence.
“Well, it was unforgettable,” he told Lara Trump in the Fox News interview. “I didn’t know exactly what was going on. I got whacked. There’s no question about that.”
Trump credits his survival to quick instincts and fast action from those around him.
“Fortunately, I got down quickly. People were screaming — and I got down quickly, fortunately, because I think they shot eight bullets,” he said, visibly emotional as he recalled the chaos.
A Nation Held Its Breath
The assassination attempt sent shockwaves across the globe, uniting supporters and critics alike in stunned disbelief. For many Americans, it was a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the volatility of modern politics.
As Trump speaks out about the harrowing moment, the country listens — not just to a man who survived, but to a leader forever marked by the bullet that almost ended his life.
“One got me, and one got another one, and one got another one,” Trump said solemnly in his first in-depth recounting of the 2024 assassination attempt. “And one killed Corey, the firefighter. Great guy.”
It was a rare moment of raw emotion from the former president, who paused as he mentioned Corey Comperatore — the retired fire chief killed that day while shielding his family.
As the country remembers that horrific afternoon, Trump is not only honoring the lives affected but also questioning how such a devastating breach was ever allowed to happen.
“They Had a Bad Day”
While Trump expressed deep gratitude for the Secret Service agents who ultimately saved his life, he didn’t hold back on criticizing the lapses in security that let the gunman climb onto a nearby rooftop undetected.
“I have great confidence in these people. I know them — they’re very talented, very capable,” he said. “But they had a bad day. And I think they’ll admit that. They had a rough day.”
Trump pointed to several missteps he believes made the attack possible.
“They should’ve had somebody in the building. They should’ve had communication with the local police — they weren’t tied in, and they should have been. So yes, there were mistakes made.”
Accountability in the Spotlight
Among those under scrutiny is Secret Service agent Myosoty Perez, who was reportedly responsible for securing the perimeter that day. Her attorney, Larry Berger, confirmed she was suspended in the wake of the shooting and is cooperating fully with investigators.
As the anniversary approaches, Trump’s candid reflections are reigniting debate over security protocols, law enforcement coordination, and the lingering emotional toll of that tragic day.
Attorney Larry Berger, speaking on behalf of suspended Secret Service agent Myosoty Perez, confirmed she is still weighing her options in the wake of the shooting. He emphasized, however, that Perez was not in charge of overall security that day.
“She is now deciding what the next steps will be in this situation,” Berger said.
In total, six Secret Service agents were suspended following the attack — a decision that brought little comfort to the grieving family of Corey Comperatore, the retired fire chief who was killed at the rally.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Corey’s widow didn’t hold back:
“Our blood is all over their hands.”
“We Got a Little Bit Lucky”
Despite his criticism of security missteps, Trump offered high praise for the Secret Service sniper who ended the threat in mere seconds. Referring to him only as “David,” the former president credited the agent’s fast response with saving countless lives.
“He went about his business. Less than just about four seconds — and that’s when it all stopped,” Trump said. “He got [the shooter] perfectly from a very long distance. So we got a little bit lucky in that regard.”
Another Brush with Death
Incredibly, the Pennsylvania rally wasn’t Trump’s only close call in 2024.
Just weeks later, a second assassination attempt unfolded — this time at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to reports, a man was shot by Secret Service agents after aiming a firearm through the course’s perimeter.
While Trump escaped both incidents unharmed, the nation remains rattled. The message from Trump, as he marks a year since that fateful day: gratitude, grief — and a call for accountability.