"Doctor Calls It a Miracle" Trump Rewrites Speech After Attack...Confident in Presidency

"This is an opportunity to unite our country as one. I have been given that opportunity." Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was attacked at a campaign rally, revealed that he rewrote his Republican nomination acceptance speech scheduled for the 18th (local time). He described the shooting incident as a "surreal experience," saying, "The doctor said surviving was a miracle." Regarding the phone call with President Joe Biden that took place after the attack, he said, "It was good," and added, "He was kind."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

In an interview with the conservative Washington Examiner on the 14th (local time), the day after the attack, former President Trump said, "The speech I was originally going to give on Thursday (the 18th) would have been tremendous. If this incident (the shooting) had not happened, it would have been one of the most amazing speeches," but added, "To be honest, it will now be a completely different speech."

He explained that while the original speech focused on Biden’s policies to energize his voter base, the newly written speech reflects his conviction that the presidential race has been completely transformed following the shooting at the rally the day before. The Republican National Convention begins on the 15th, with Trump’s official nomination acceptance speech scheduled for the final day, the 18th.

Former President Trump emphasized, "It will be a speech that meets the demands of history," and "This is an opportunity to unite our country as one, and I have been given that opportunity." He said that immediately after the shooting, people from various social classes and political backgrounds across the United States called him. At the end of the interview, he again stressed, "It is an opportunity to unite the whole country, even the whole world," and "The speech will be very different from what it was two days ago."

Additionally, former President Trump mentioned that he survived the shooting because he turned his body to check the data displayed on the screen at the time of the shooting. He said, "I rarely take my eyes off the crowd," and added, "If I hadn’t done that at that moment, we wouldn’t be having this conversation today."

Regarding why he raised his fist toward the crowd while surrounded by Secret Service (SS) agents immediately after the shooting, he explained, "It was to let people know that I was okay," and "To show that America goes on, that we move forward, and that we are strong." He added, "The energy coming from the people at that moment ? they were just standing there. It’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I knew the world was watching," and "I knew history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know I was okay." The Washington Examiner evaluated that the photo capturing that moment became an iconic image of the 2024 presidential election.

In an interview with the New York Post released the same day, former President Trump also described the shooting as a "surreal experience," saying, "I almost died." Wearing a large bandage on his right ear, he said, "The doctor said he had never seen anything like this. He called it a miracle."

He explained that immediately after the shooting, even after being escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents, he wanted to talk with his supporters, but the agents urged him to go to the hospital, saying the situation was unsafe. He also mentioned being surprised to see the agents rush in like 'Linebackers' (a key defensive position in American football) right after the shooting. After expressing gratitude to the agents, he said that shooting the attacker accurately was "a fantastic job."

When asked if he planned to attend the funeral of Cory Comperatore, a man in his 50s and former firefighter who lost his life protecting his family from the shooter at the scene, former President Trump answered "Yes." He instructed his staff standing behind him, "Please confirm the number of deceased and injured. I want to go to the hospital and call all the families."

Regarding the phone call with President Joe Biden, he did not disclose specific details but said, "It was good. He (President Biden) was very kind." He also added that he heard Biden had instructed the Department of Justice to drop two indictments against him.

Meanwhile, the interviews with the Washington Examiner and the New York Post released that day were conducted over about 30 minutes on board the plane en route to Milwaukee, the site of the Republican National Convention. Senator Lindsey Graham, who was on the plane with him, said, "Former President Trump’s optimism is at an incredible level."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.