Butler County, in Western Pennsylvania, remains steadfastly loyal to Donald Trump, even after a harrowing assassination attempt that nearly cost the former president his life. The tragic events of July 13 have left an indelible mark on this community, known for its deep-rooted conservative values.
In the heart of Butler, the reminders of the attempted assassination are visible everywhere: front yards, billboards, and road signs feature phrases like “Bulletproof” alongside images of Trump with his fist raised defiantly. Trump easily won Butler in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, cementing its reputation as a Republican stronghold. Yet, this year, the county has gained national attention for a darker reason: it was where a bullet narrowly missed Trump’s head during a political rally, shaking a community that takes pride in its loyalty to him.
As Donald Trump prepares to return to the very place where the attempt on his life occurred, Butler residents are grappling with guilt, sorrow, and anger over the incident. The upcoming rally at the Farm Show grounds has stirred deep emotions among the locals.
Jim Hulings, chairman of the Butler County Republican Party, was present at the scene and believed Trump had been killed. He described it as “the saddest moment of my life,” adding, “I was horrified to think that somebody had the audacity to shoot a great man.”
Jondavid Longo, the mayor of Slippery Rock, just miles away, was on stage moments before the shots rang out. “I instinctively covered my pregnant wife when the gunman fired,” he recalled. The haunting memory still lingers, and for many in Butler County, coming to terms with the events of that day has been difficult.
The community continues to mourn the loss of Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer firefighter who sacrificed his life to protect his wife and daughters during the shooting. “I think about it every day,” said his widow, Helen, who was a lifelong Trump supporter alongside her husband. “I see it every time I close my eyes.”
The security lapses that allowed 20-year-old gunman Thomas Crooks to carry out the assassination attempt have only heightened the anger. Reports reveal that Crooks evaded detection by the Secret Service for hours leading up to the incident, using a drone and a rangefinder to survey the area. In the end, eight shots were fired before a Secret Service sniper took him down with a single bullet.
The community’s shock and trauma are evident in the words of Lucie Roth, who was seated just behind Trump when the shots were fired. “I truly thought he was dead,” she said. Yet the roar of the crowd moments later confirmed that Trump had survived.
Butler County remains as loyal as ever to Trump. Residents, including Greg Smith, who famously tried to alert the Secret Service to the gunman on the roof, believe that their role in this historic event only reinforces their connection to the former president. “I was very frustrated, extremely frustrated,” Greg recalled, speaking about the security failure. “I kept thinking, ‘How is this happening?’”
Despite the trauma and lingering anger, Helen Comperatore and her daughters plan to attend Trump’s upcoming rally. “It’s what Corey would have wanted,” she said.
Butler County’s resilience, loyalty, and sense of community remain unshaken, even in the wake of tragedy. As Trump returns to Butler, the rally will serve as both a symbol of the county’s enduring support for him and a moment of healing for a community forever marked by that fateful day.
