Trump recounts the Pennsylvania rally shooting in vivid detail

Former President Donald Trump opened his speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday by addressing what speakers have been praising him for all week. In a somber start to his one-hour-32-minute-long address, he spent 15 minutes recounting in great detail his personal perspective of the assassination attempt at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday.

Here is a complete transcript of Trump’s description of the shooting:

“Let me begin this evening by expressing my gratitude to the American people for your outpouring of love and support following the assassination attempt at my rally on Saturday.

[Applause – One person could be heard saying “I Love You.”]

As you already know, the assassin's bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life.

So many people have asked me what happened. Tell us what happened, please. And therefore I will tell you exactly what happened and you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s actually too painful to tell.

It was a warm, beautiful day in the early evening in Butler Township in the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Music was loudly playing and the campaign was doing really well. I went to the stage and the crowd was cheering wildly. Everybody was happy. I began speaking, very strongly, powerfully and happily

[Crowd laughs]

because I was discussing the great job my administration did on immigration of the southern border. We were very proud of it.

[Applause]

Behind me and to the right was a large screen that was displaying a chart of border crossings under my leadership. The numbers were absolutely amazing. In order to see the chart, I started to – like this – turn to my right and was ready to begin a little bit further turn, which I am very lucky I didn’t do, when I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear.

I said to myself, wow, what was that, it can only be a bullet, and moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down. My hand was covered with blood. Just absolutely blood all over the place. I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack. And in one movement proceeded to drop to the ground.

Bullets were continuing to fly as very brave Secret Service agents rushed to the stage. And they really did; they rushed to the stage.

[Applause]

These are great people. At great risk I will tell you. And pounced on top of me so that I would be protected. There was blood pouring everywhere and, yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side. I thank him.

The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit its mark and I would not be here tonight. We would not be together.

The most incredible aspect of what took place on that terrible evening in the fading sun was actually seen later. In almost all cases, as you probably know, and when even a single bullet is fired, just a single bullet – and we had many bullets that were being fired – crowds run for the exits or stampede. But not in this case. It was very unusual.

[Applause]

This massive crowd of tens of thousands of people stood by and didn’t move an inch.

In fact, many of them bravely but automatically stood up looking for where the sniper would be. They knew immediately it was a sniper, and then began pointing at him.

You can see that if you look at the group behind me, that was just a small group compared to what was in front. Nobody ran and by not stampeding, many lives were saved.

[Applause]

But that isn’t the reason that they didn’t move. The reason is that they knew I was in very serious trouble. They saw, they saw me go down. They saw the blood, and thought actually, most did, that I was dead. They knew it was a shot to the head. They saw the blood.

And there’s an interesting statistic: The ears are the bloodiest part. If something happens with ears, they bleed more than any other part of the body. For whatever reason, the doctors told me that. And I said why is there so much blood? And he said it’s the ears, they bleed more.

So we learned something.

[Crowd laughs]

But they just, they just, this beautiful crowd they did not want to leave me. They knew I was in trouble. They didn't want to leave me. And you can see that love written all over their faces. Incredible people. They’re incredible people.

Bullets were flying over us, yet I felt serene. But now the Secret Service agents were putting themselves in peril. They were in very dangerous territory, bullets were flying over them. Missing them by a very small amount of inches. And then it all stopped. Our Secret Service sniper from a much greater distance, and with only one bullet used, took the assassin's life. Took them out.

[Cheers]

I'm not supposed to be here tonight. Not supposed to be here.

[Audience chants “Yes you are’’]

Thank you. But I’m not. And I’ll tell you, I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God.

In watching the reports over the last few days, many people say it was a providential moment. Probably was. When I rose surrounded by Secret Service, the crowd was confused because they thought I was dead. And there was great, great sorrow. I could see that on their faces as I looked out. They didn't know I was looking out, they thought it was over. But I could see it, I wanted to do something to let ‘em know I was ok. I raised my right arm, looked at the thousands and thousands of people who were breathlessly waiting and started shouting, Fight! Fight! Fight!

[Audience erupts in “Fight! Fight! Fight!” chant]

Thank you. Once my clenched fist went up, and it was high into the air, you’ve all seen that. The crowd realized I was OK and roared with pride for our country like no crowd I have ever heard before.

[Applause]

Never heard anything like that. For the rest of my life I will be grateful for the love shown by that giant audience of patriots that stood bravely on that fateful evening in Pennsylvania.

Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore. Unbelievable person, everybody tells me. Unbelievable.

[Applause]

And seriously wounded two other great warriors. Spoke to them today, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. Great people. I also spoke to all three families of these tremendous people. Our love and prayers are with them and always will be. We’re never gonna forget them.

They came for a great rally. They were serious Trumpsters I wanna tell you. They were serious Trumpsters, and still are. But Corey, unfortunately, we have to use the past tense. He was incredible. He was a highly respected former fire chief. Respected by everybody. He was accompanied by his wife, Helen, incredible woman. I spoke to her today, devastated. And two precious daughters. He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets. He went right over the top of them and was hit. What a fine man he was.

[Trump walked to the firefighter uniform on stage and kissed it, as the crowd chanted “Corey.”]

I want to thank the fire department and the family for sending his helmet, his outfit. And uh. It was just something. And they are going to do something very special when they get it.

But, we did something that cannot match what happened, not even close. But I am very proud to say that over the past few days we raised $6.3 million for the families of David, James and Corey. Including from a friend of mine, just called up. He just sent me a check, right here, just got it, $1 million. From Dan Newlin. Thank you, Dan.

And again, when speaking to the family, I told them, I said well, we’re gonna be sending you a lot of money but it can’t compensate. And they all said the same thing, you’re right, sir, we appreciate so much what you’re doing, but nothing can take the place in the case of Corey and the other two, by the way they were very, very seriously injured, but now they’re doing very well. They’re going to be okay.

[Applause]

They’re going to be doing very well. They’re warriors. So now, I ask that we observe a moment of silence in honor of our friend, Corey.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others. This is the spirit that forged America in her darkest hours, and this is the love that will lead America back to the summit of human achievement and greatness. This is what we need. Despite such a heinous attack, we unite this evening more determined than ever. I am more determined than ever, and so are you, and so is everybody in this room.

[“We Love Trump” chant erupts.]

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Our resolve is unbroken and our purpose is unchanged to deliver a government that serves the American people better than ever before. Nothing will stop me in this mission because our vision is righteous and our cause is pure. No matter what obstacle comes our way, we will not break, we will not bend, we will not back down. And I will never stop fighting for you, your family, and our magnificent country. Never.

And everything I have to give with all of the energy and fight in my heart and soul, I pledge to our nation, tonight. Thank you very much. I pledge that to our nation. Gonna turn our nation around and we’re going to do it very quickly. Thank you.”