A Month Before Assassination Attempt, Trump Showed Similar Bravery and Generosity

Americans are still processing what happened on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.  It does not feel real.  Perhaps because it is hard to process that, considering the circumstances, President Donald Trump should not still be alive after the assassination attempt on his life. It is nothing short of a miracle that he is still with us.

There are so many incredible things that happened that day which are hard to believe. How could the Secret Service determine that a building a little over 100 yards away with a direct line of sight to the President is outside the perimeter? How does the location not have drone coverage?  Why does the Secret Service allow Trump to take the stage knowing there has been an identified threat? If the reason is that the Secret Service did not know of the threat, why was it not in direct communication with local police, the very police it claims was responsible for securing the building? Why do we have no answers to these questions three weeks after the shooting?

These failures are beyond comprehension and cause people to wonder if what they saw was real and whether something is being hidden.  

There was at least one more incredible thing that happened that day. Despite knowing he had been struck in the ear by a bullet, and knowing he was under attack by at least one sniper, Trump insisted on standing up, standing tall, raising his fist, and imploring the crowd to “Fight! Fight! Fight!”  Trump was surrounded by Secret Service protecting him from being shot again. Most people (including, I am pretty sure, me) would embrace such protection, stay low, and crawl or shuffle off the stage to a safe area, ensuring they remain surrounded by the Secret Service. 

Trump did the opposite. He insisted on putting on his shoes and stood tall. In doing so, he exposed himself to easily being shot again if the shooter was still alive or if there was a second shooter.  He did it to show the crowd he had survived, and to implore them to not give up and fight back against forces trying to oppose him.

His actions were so heroic that a conspiracy-minded friend insisted that this whole thing must have been staged.  Trump’s actions were simply all part of the plan, he contends.  Not only do I find the conspiracy theory absurd, I have direct evidence to refute it.

About a month earlier in Newport Beach, California, I attended a Trump fundraiser at a home on the bay.  Before the event there was concern about a boat parade planned in support of Trump which would come very close to the house. They had considered putting up large tarps to block any view of the event from the bay so that there was no line of sight to Trump from the boats.  

However, they chose not to, which was very much appreciated by the guests as it allowed us to enjoy the beautiful view of the water from the backyard where Trump would be speaking. It was also appreciated by the dozens of boats which arrived as they were able to view the event from the water.  A large yacht was stationed about a 100 yards from the house. It is my understanding Secret Service was on the yacht. There was also one or two coast guard boats.  Other than the large yacht, none of the boats was tall enough to provide a direct line of sight to Trump during his speech.

Trump spoke extemporaneously for about 45 minutes. No teleprompter, no notes. This was a fundraiser, not a rally, which he treats differently. He was funny, charming, and gracious, acknowledging many of the guests by name. He came across even more personable than at the rallies.  

When the event ended I left my seat and headed down to the water for a final look at the boats and the beautiful bay view. I was stopped by Secret Service before I could get to the ledge. He asked me to hold for a minute, without providing an explanation. A couple minutes later I saw Trump, down by the edge of the water, by himself, waving to all of the boats. It was a magnificent scene. 

The move was very risky. He was fully exposed to dozens of boats which sat about 100 yards away. But Trump wanted to show his gratitude to the people he knew had made the effort to come to see him. He did not want to let them down. He gave them a thrill. It was both very generous and very brave.  It was exactly like what he did a month later, albeit on a whole  different level.