Special Poll
Former President Donald Trump held his first outdoor campaign rally since surviving an assassination attempt, addressing supporters in North Carolina on Wednesday. Standing behind bulletproof glass, Trump spoke at the event in Asheboro alongside his running mate, Senator JD Vance from Ohio. This rally was part of a broader tour through key battleground states, aimed at countering the momentum from the Democratic convention.
The Trump campaign remained tight-lipped regarding the enhanced security measures in place for the event. However, the presence of bulletproof glass surrounding the stage was evident, and large storage containers were strategically positioned near the stage to obstruct potential lines of sight from afar.
During the rally, Trump briefly left the stage to check on an attendee who appeared to be experiencing a medical issue, showcasing a moment of concern amidst his speech.
The event was officially focused on national security, but in typical fashion, Trump’s speech meandered through various topics. He voiced strong criticism of President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama, particularly in response to their recent convention speeches. Trump also criticized the revision of job numbers and expressed his dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of various issues.
A significant portion of his speech was dedicated to condemning the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which resulted in the tragic loss of 13 American soldiers. Trump vowed that, if re-elected, he would demand the resignation of every senior military official involved in what he called the “Afghanistan disaster.”
Trump reiterated his claim that he could swiftly resolve ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, asserting that he would bring peace to the world starting on the day he takes office. “From the moment I lift my hand from the Bible after taking the oath of office, I will work to restore America’s strength and bring about global peace,” Trump declared. “We’re going to return the world to peace. And mostly, I can do it with a telephone call.”
This rally marked Trump’s first outdoor event since July 13, when he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. During that incident, a bullet grazed his ear, leading to the death of the assailant and a rally attendee. Trump was seen with a bandage over his ear for several weeks as it healed.
In response to the attack, a bipartisan task force has been established to investigate the security failures that allowed the attempt to occur. Despite the incident, Trump has expressed his intention to return to Butler for another rally in the future.