Trump Rally Rage: Salena Zito Unpacks Butler Assassination Attempt Fallout

In the wake of the harrowing attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a year ago, the raw emotions of the crowd spilled over in a way that caught the world’s attention. As Trump was swiftly escorted to safety by Secret Service agents, the chants of 'USA' morphed into angry outbursts directed at the media’s cameras. But according to veteran political reporter Salena Zito, this wasn’t a personal attack on journalists. Instead, it was a visceral cry against the state of the nation—a signal of frustration and defiance against the forces that led to such a tragic moment.

Zito, who was just steps away from Trump when the gunfire erupted, offers a gripping perspective in her new book, 'Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland.' Speaking to supporters who were seen shouting at the cameras, she learned their anger wasn’t aimed at the press but at the broader cultural and political divides they believe fueled the violence. 'We wanted to show the country this isn’t acceptable,' they told her, echoing a deep concern for America’s future.

The incident, which left one rallygoer, firefighter Corey Comperatore, dead and two others critically injured, also revealed the stark bravery of the Secret Service agents on the ground. Zito praises the field officers who shielded Trump—taking bullets for him with a courage she describes as nothing short of heroic. Yet, accountability has followed: six agents involved in logistical decisions were suspended without pay earlier this year, a move Zito calls 'well warranted' for those higher up the chain.

What struck Zito most in the aftermath was the composure of the crowd. Despite the chaos, there was no stampede. People helped each other, medics tended to the wounded, and an hour later, thousands of supporters in the parking lot shared water, food, and comfort. It was, in her words, a 'remarkable' display of humanity amid tragedy.

Trump himself escaped with just a graze to the ear, a near-miraculous outcome attributed to a split-second turn of his head toward an immigration chart. But the scars of that day in Butler run deeper than physical wounds—they are a stark reminder of a nation on edge, yearning for strength and unity.