A harrowing experience at a Pennsylvania rally in July left a lasting impact on the Trump family, particularly the former president’s youngest son, Barron. Donald Trump recounted the terrifying moment when gunfire erupted during his speech, with one bullet narrowly missing his ear. The Secret Service swiftly intervened, surrounding the former president to ensure his safety.
Trump’s wife, Melania, was watching the rally on television at the time, while Barron was in the middle of a tennis lesson. The news of the shooting was relayed to Barron, prompting him to rush to his mother, seeking answers. “He’s a good kid, a good student, and a good athlete,” Trump said, describing his son’s reaction. “He loves his father, and he was very concerned.”
Trump himself attributed his survival to a “miracle,” stating that the shot fired at him should have been fatal. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is known for his proficiency with guns, was in disbelief that his father had escaped unharmed. “He couldn’t believe I wasn’t dead,” Trump said.
The former president also credited divine intervention for saving his life, noting that the shooting had inspired some people to become believers in God. The incident has sparked multiple investigations into the security failures at the rally, with the FBI revealing that the would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had conducted online searches related to Trump’s campaign events months prior.
The FBI has released crime scene photos, including images of Crooks’s gun, a book bag, and an air conditioning unit used to access the roof. The agency also found improvised explosive devices in Crooks’s vehicle. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Secret Service has reassigned an unspecified number of agents to desk duty, backtracking on an earlier statement that agents had been placed on leave. According to a source, five people were actually placed on leave, including a member of Trump’s personal protective team and four agents from the Pittsburgh field office.
