Former President Donald Trump says business mogul Elon Musk and the family of shooting victim Corey Comperatore will join him for a weekend rally marking a defiant return to Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman tried to assassinate the GOP nominee in July.
A bullet grazed Mr. Trump’s ear and Comperatore, a 50-year-old Trump supporter and former fire chief, was killed in the shooting on July 13.
Comperatore’s wife, Helen, his daughters, Allyson and Kaylee, and other family members will be on hand Saturday as part of a huge entourage that includes vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, GOP officials, law enforcement and members of Congress.
“President Donald J. Trump will return to Butler, Pennsylvania to hold a rally on the very same ground where he took a bullet for democracy less than three months ago,” the Trump campaign said Friday.
Mr. Musk’s presence is notable. He is considered the world’s richest man and uses X, the social media platform he owns, to promote Mr. Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.
Mr. Musk formally endorsed Mr. Trump immediately after the July 13 shooting, praising his toughness.
The assassination attempt by Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old who was killed during the incident, stunned America and the quiet community of Butler.
Congressional lawmakers are investigating why the Service Service was unable to prevent the shooting.
Some sniper-trained lawmakers say it is unwise for Mr. Trump to return to the site for a rally. But Mr. Trump sees the event as a triumphant way to rally supporters one month before Election Day in the crucial swing state.
First responders and key attendees from the July 13 rally will return with Mr. Trump.
Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, Mr. Trump’s daughter-in-law, are set to be there, with Sen. Eric Schmitt, Missouri Republican, seven Republican House members, a dozen Pennsylvania sheriffs and local officials.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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