Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year by a gunman who killed three people and wounded two others, including the then-presidential candidate
Donald Trump drew parallels between the assassination attempt on his life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year and the sacrifices of Purple Heart veterans during a White House ceremony on Thursday afternoon.
Thomas Matthew Crooks Hailing from Bethel Park – a well-to-do area south of Pittsburgh – travelled 53 miles to the Butler Farm Show grounds hosting the rally, before unleashing gunfire from a neighbouring rooftop, injuring two rally-goers and fatally shooting another.
Trump’s right ear was clipped during the attack. Within days, he appeared at the Republican National Convention, where he formally secured his party’s nomination having been selected as their presidential candidate.
READ MORE: Hunter’s terrifying final moments before fatal goring by ‘Black Death’ buffalo
On Thursday Trump said: “Last year, after an assassin tried to take my life in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas [Matteo] generously mailed me one of his Purple Hearts,” the president declared.
“Many of the other veterans showed me the same gesture of unbelievable kindness, including three-time Purple Heart recipient John Ford and Gerald Enter Jr., who also came along with us and did us a great, great favor,” the president went on. “Gerald, John and Thomas, I want to thank you very much.”
The trio of veterans Trump referenced were in attendance at the ceremony. Each had, as he noted, posted him one of their Purple Hearts following his shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks , reports the Mirror US.
“What a great honour to receive those Purple Hearts,” Trump went on, drawing parallels between his own journey and the trials faced by the three veterans to earn their Purple Hearts.
“I guess, in a certain way, it wasn’t that easy for me, either, when you think of it,” he mused, before conceding: “But you went through a lot more than I did, and I appreciate it all very much.”
The medals bestowed upon Trump were given during ceremonies held in the final months of his campaign last year. Matteo, Ford and Thomas weren’t the only veterans who sent Trump their Purple Hearts – numerous others did as well.
Trump extended an invitation to several of the veterans who had posted their Purple Medals to him to his campaign events, so he could return the medals to their rightful owners.
The gathering Trump hosted at the White House on Thursday afternoon commemorated National Purple Heart Day, observed annually on 7 Aug. At the conclusion of his speech – which he seemed to read from a script, rarely deviating from it – he signed a proclamation declaring 7 Aug. 2025, National Purple Heart Day – officially recognising the holiday.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military accolade still in circulation. It’s awarded to service members who are killed or injured while engaging in enemy combat or who become victims of acts of terrorism.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honour houses over 1.8 million medals awarded since the inception of the award in 1782. Trump himself has never served in the military. Indeed, he received five draft deferments when called upon to serve during the Vietnam War.
His initial four deferments were education-related, as he was studying at university at the time, while his fifth was due to a medical exemption – he cited supposed bone spurs in his heels.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter.
#Trump #assassination #attempt #wasnt #easy #compares #Purple #Heart #heroism
