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President Donald Trump reflected on Saturday’s assassination attempt against him in a new interview ahead of the Republican National Convention.
Trump noted that he was “supposed to be dead” during the discussion with Michael Goodwin at the New York Post.
“The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle,” Trump stated.
“I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” he continued. “I’m supposed to be dead.”
Trump was immediately taken to the ground by his Secret Service agents as the shots began. He stated that he was tackled so hard that he lost his shoes.
“The agents hit me so hard that my shoes fell off, and my shoes are tight,” he said during the interview.
Once the shooter was eliminated, Trump chose to stand with his fist raised and shouted, “Fight!” three times before being taken away for medical treatment.
The first shot grazed his right ear, leaving a trail of blood on his face during the assassination attempt. Trump was treated at a local hospital and released shortly afterward.
The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was eliminated by a counter-sniper after his shooting began.
“They took him out with one shot right between the eyes,” Trump stated, expressing his gratitude for his security personnel.
“They did a fantastic job,” he added. “It’s surreal for all of us.”
In addition to Trump being shot, Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania, was killed in the seating area behind the president.
Two other individuals were injured. They include 57-year-old David Dutch, of New Kensington, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, of Moon Township, both listed in stable condition.
“These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner. “The Pennsylvania State Police continue to work tirelessly alongside our federal, state and local partners as this investigation continues.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Comperatore, a former fire department chief. He also expressed his condolences and his prayers for the victims and their families.
