Trump supporters say former president's return to Butler, Pennsylvania is 'brave'

BUTLER, Penn. – Enthusiastic spectators flocked to the Butler, Pennsylvania, fairgrounds on Saturday, saying it was “brave” for former President Donald Trump to appear at the site where he was almost assassinated.

Trump is expected to appear at the site where he was nearly killed in a deadly shooting on July 13. The Republican presidential candidate is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m

Trump announces outdoor rally in Pennsylvania to “finish our speech at the site of the first assassination attempt.”

A law enforcement sniper positions himself on a rooftop before a rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Dietsch Getty Images)

Supporters decorated American flags and Trump slogans told Fox News Digital that Trump's return to the site was “brave.”

“I think it’s brave. It really shows people strength that he's here and not hiding,” said 21-year-old River Jager of Buffalo, Ohio.

“If someone else was shot, they would duck,” he said. “Instead of running away, he regained his composure and pulled himself together to show us he was OK.”

The father-daughter duo, 44-year-old Tom Bye and 19-year-old Brooke Bye, said Trump's return proved that “he does this for us.”

“He's not afraid. He does it for us. He doesn't have to. He speaks for the people the way the people speak,” Tom said. “That speaks volumes, he’s not going to run and hide.”

“He’s coming back to show he’s strong,” Brooke said.

The couple shared their hope for change under a Trump administration, saying the country is “going downwards.”

“If he doesn’t become president now, this country can’t be saved,” Tom said. “It’s time for a change.”

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Brooke echoed her father's sentiments, citing the rise in illegal immigration as her top voting issue.

“It needs to change,” she said. “The things with our immigration problem – things need to change.”

A woman cleans a mural of Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump on the side of a bus before a rally at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Friends Jody Cavalieri and Dena Diebold said they drove three hours from Buffalo, New York, to see Trump.

The couple praised Trump's bravery and said that “life was so much better under Trump.”

“Courageous – for the country, for the people,” said Cavalieri.

“Ditto,” Diebold said, agreeing. “God bless Trump.”

“Life was so much better under Trump,” Cavalieri said. “I want my children to feel good about buying a house. My 24 year old still lives at home and it's not easy to get out and get a mortgage. I want our children to do better.”

“We felt safer when Trump was in office,” Diebold said. “There was peace all over the world. Not so much at the moment.”

Don Deazley carries a cross as he prays with Sue Hensal and others as they wait in line for a rally for Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. wait. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Journi Dostal, a 27-year-old business owner, told Fox News Digital that this was her first Trump rally.

The young voter said Trump's return to Butler was a “historic moment.”

It's such a historic moment.

— Journi Dostal, 27

David Mills, wearing a Trump wig, said he “wouldn't miss” the rally and said it was his third one to attend.

“I wouldn't miss it. This is my third rally in Butler,” said the 64-year-old Mills.

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“We need to expel all illegals and reduce the size of the government, which is just completely bloated,” he said.

A law enforcement sniper positions himself on a roof as attendees wait in line before a rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump holds a rally in Butler at the site of his first assassination attempt. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Saint Mary School District athletic secretary Denise Materia said she was pleased to hear Trump “finish the speech.”

I'm so excited to see how he finishes the speech he planned to give on July 13th.

—Denise Materia

“I want him to make America better,” she continued. “When he was president, things were much better.”

Dan Beasley, a real estate agent, said the former president was “very brave” to return.

“I think he’s very brave,” he said. “God has a clear purpose for him. He’s coming back to deliver this message.”

Trump's campaign said the former president's return to Butler would honor the victims of the assassination attempt during the rally.

Corey Comperatore50, was a firefighter and father of two daughters. He “historically sacrificed his life to protect his wife and daughters” during the Trump assassination attempt, the campaign said.

Former Buffalo Township Fire Chief Corey Comperatore with his daughters in an undated family photo. Authorities say Thomas Matthew Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, hit and killed Comperatore in the crossfire. Secret Service agents returned fire and killed Crooks. (Helen Comperatore/Facebook)

Trump will also recognize the two other Americans injured by the shooter, David Dutch and James Copenhaver.

“He will express his deep gratitude to law enforcement and first responders and thank the entire community for their love and support following the attack,” the campaign said.

Trump is protected by U.S. Secret Service agents after shots were fired during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)

Trump's campaign team said his return to the site of the first attack was a “homage to the American spirit.”

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In America, we don't let monsters like this evil assassin have the last word.

– Trump campaign

“In America, we will not allow monsters like this evil assassin to have the final say. Every time our nation is struck by an attack or emergency, we rally, persevere and prevail,” the campaign said in a statement. “When terrorists tore down our towering skyscrapers, we built them even higher. When our communities are hit by fires, storms or natural disasters, we pull together and come back stronger.”

“And when a gunman attacked our democracy and tried to end this movement, President Trump “We will return to the site alongside tens of thousands of proud citizens and celebrate a unifying vision for America's future in an event the likes of which the world has never seen before,” it said.

Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump's campaign said he was “more determined than ever” after the two attacks in the last nine weeks, one in Butler and the other at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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“In this Butler Field on July 13th he fired a bullet for democracy – and on November 5th he will save our democracy,” they said. “With the help of the great people of Pennsylvania and citizens across our country, we will make America safer, stronger, freer and greater than ever before.”