Eric Trump: Shooting changed father’s ‘outlook on life, message’
- Trump suffered ear injury during attempted assassination
- Eric Trump: Divine intervention saved my father's life
- Defends Secret Service agents who guided father off stage
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(NewsNation) — Eric Trump credited “divine intervention” for saving his father’s life after he Saturday’s attempted assassination.
“He realized he could have been dead,” Eric Trump told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on Wednesday night during the Republican National Convention. “Had he not moved his face one inch. … you would have had a former president, very likely future president, get executed on TV.”
Eric Trump defended the Secret Service members who guided his father to safety and said, “We must find out what happened.”
“Every agent on that stage would have taken a bullet for my father. … I’m in total defense of those people because they’re the best of the best,” Eric Trump said.
The shooting changed his father’s outlook in life, Eric Trump said.
“I do think it changes your message. … When you have a brush with death like that, I think he probably realized what’s important in life and what’s not. … what you want your legacy to be,” Eric Trump said.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is moved from the stage at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
A campaign rally site for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is empty and littered with debris Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 13: Attendees scatter after gunfire rang out during a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump at Butler Farm Show Inc. on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump slumped before being whisked away by Secret Service with injuries visible to the side of his head. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter and one audience member are dead and another was injured. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) 
U.S. Secret Service agents converge to cover Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surround by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Trump suffered an ear injury from the shooting. One rally attendee died and at least two others were injured, not including the gunman, who was killed by the Secret Service.
The gunman practiced at a shooting range the day before Trump’s rally, CNN reported, citing an unnamed law enforcement official. The 20-year-old also bought a five-foot ladder from Home Depot and purchased 50 rounds of ammunition the next morning from a local store called Allegheny Arms and Gun Works, according to CNN.
The gunman was a member of Clairton Sportsmen’s Club about a 25-minute drive away from his home. One of the club’s lawyers, Rob Bootay, denounced Saturday’s shooting, as did Home Depot and the owner of Allegheny Arms and Gun Works.
Meanwhile, Trump has been attending the Republican National Convention with a bandaged ear. His acceptance speech is scheduled for Thursday.
Arrangements for Corey Compatore, the former volunteer firefighter killed at Saturday’s rally, include a public visitation Thursday in Freeport, Pennsylvania, and a funeral service Friday.
Compatore shielded his family from the gunfire in the moments before his death, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
NewsNation’s Katie Smith and Brian Entin contributed to this report.
