Susie Wiles Recalls Trump’s Butler Assassination Attempt: ‘Thought He Was Dead’

In a gripping recounting, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles shared the heart-stopping moments of the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Speaking on Pod Force One with Miranda Devine, Wiles admitted her initial terror: "When he was hit, I thought we’d lost him." The chaos erupted as gunfire rang out, and Wiles believed the president was dead.

Yet, in a twist she attributes to divine intervention, Trump’s decision to display an immigration chart on a large LED screen saved his life. "That chart, coming up just eight minutes into the rally, made him turn his head slightly—enough to dodge disaster," Wiles explained. The bullet grazed his ear, and Trump collapsed as Secret Service agents stormed the stage. Defiant, he rose, blood streaming down his face, and bellowed "Fight!" to a roaring crowd—an image now etched in American history.

Wiles recalled the dread: "You can’t help but assume the worst." Relief came at the hospital when it was clear Trump would survive, but the incident reshaped the campaign. "Security went into overdrive," she said. Outdoor rallies, a campaign staple, were scrapped, and venues with large windows avoided. Trump’s team adapted, believing he was "spared for a reason."

Beyond the attack, Wiles offered insights into Trump’s voracious reading habits, devouring outlets like the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times daily. She also praised the Biden administration’s staff for their gracious transition support, noting, "They were spectacular, sharing resources and advice." Reflecting on Trump’s post-election meeting with Biden, Wiles chuckled: "After all the campaign barbs, they were like old golf buddies."

The Butler attempt remains a pivotal moment, underscoring both vulnerability and resilience in a turbulent political era.