There were five words spoken by former President Donald Trump that summed up his feelings after an assassination attempt on his life — “I’m supposed to be dead.”
Those were the words Trump spoke in an exclusive interview with The New York Post while en route to Wisconsin for them Republican National Convention.
Trump was grazed by a bullet Saturday during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle,” Trump said. A large, loose white bandage covered his right ear that had been pierced by a bullet. No photos were permitted.
“I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” Trump said. “I’m supposed to be dead.”
Trump, 78, explained he was just inches away from being murdered.
The former president said he turned his head a little to the right in order to read a chart on illegal immigrants. That little movement ended up saving his life.
The presumptive GOP presidential nominee wanted to keep speaking, but the Secret Service said it was not safe and he had to go to the hospital.
He described the agents as “linebackers” flying in to protect him from the shooting. This resulted in a large bruise on his right forearm.
The force also made his shoes fall off.
“The agents hit me so hard that my shoes fell off, and my shoes are tight,” he said.
Trump lauded the Secret Service agents for their actions, including saving him as well as killing the shooter who was on a roofabout 130 yards from Trump.
“They took him out with one shot right between the eyes,” Trump said, pointing to the bridge of his nose.
“They did a fantastic job,” he said. “It’s surreal for all of us.”
Trump also talked about the iconic photo of him with his fist raised as agents were trying to get him to a safe location.
“A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen,” Trump said. “They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture.”
“I just wanted to keep speaking, but I just got shot,” he said.
The doctor who treated Trump at the local hospital said he’s never seen anyone survive getting hit by an AR-15, Trump told the reporter.
“By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” he said.
One man — Corey Comperatore — was killed. Two others were critically injured.
Trump acknowledged wanting to go to Comperatore’s funeral as well as talking with the others that were injured.
Trump also did not forget the 55,000 people at the rally who stayed calm.
“A lot of places, especially soccer games, you hear a single shot, everybody runs. Here there were many shots and they stayed,” he said.
“I love them. They are such great people,” Trump said.
