Nearly a year after narrowly surviving an assassination attempt that shocked the nation and reverberated around the world, former President Donald Trump has finally spoken in depth about the terrifying day that could have changed American history forever.

In an emotional and revealing interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Fox News, Trump opened up about the July 13, 2024 incident at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. It was a sunny afternoon, with supporters waving flags and chanting as they waited for Trump to take the stage. Spirits were high until the unthinkable happened: a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, turning a moment of celebration into chaos and horror.

The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to fatally shoot retired fire chief Corey Comperatore, a devoted Trump supporter who had attended the rally with his family. Two other people were injured before a highly trained Secret Service sniper managed to neutralize Crooks in under four seconds, preventing even greater carnage.

Trump, recalling the shocking moment, described it bluntly but with characteristic bravado. “Well, it was unforgettable… I got whacked,” he said, with a half-smile masking the weight of the trauma. “One bullet hit me, one got another person, and one killed Corey — a great guy, really great guy.”

Despite the lightness in his phrasing, Trump became visibly emotional when speaking about Comperatore. He praised the late fire chief’s heroism and expressed deep sorrow for his family’s loss. “It was a terrible, terrible day. Corey was there supporting us, supporting me. It shouldn’t have happened,” he said, his voice faltering.

In the immediate aftermath, both the Secret Service and local law enforcement faced intense scrutiny. Questions poured in about how a gunman had managed to access a rooftop vantage point so close to a major campaign event. Trump himself did not hold back his frustration. He criticized what he described as major communication failures and a lack of proper surveillance of nearby buildings.

“It was a rough day for the people in charge,” Trump remarked sharply. “They had one job — keep the perimeter safe, keep the buildings checked. And that day, they didn’t. It was a massive breakdown.”

As a result of the security failures, six Secret Service agents were suspended, including one specifically assigned to monitor the rooftop area where Crooks positioned himself. The Comperatore family also spoke out publicly, condemning the security lapses and demanding accountability. “Our blood is all over their hands,” the family said in a raw, heartbreaking statement that captured the magnitude of their grief and frustration.

Shockingly, just weeks after the assassination attempt, Trump faced yet another frightening incident. While at his West Palm Beach golf club, a man was spotted pointing a firearm through the fence surrounding the property. Once again, the quick action of the Secret Service prevented what could have been another tragedy, detaining the suspect before he was able to fire a shot.

Now serving as the 47th President of the United States after his dramatic return to the White House, Trump reflected on the events as a sobering reminder of the dangers that come with public life. “It really makes you think about how fragile things are,” he told Lara. “I was lucky — we got a little bit lucky that day. That sniper saved a lot of lives, including mine.”

Trump also spoke about the mental toll the attempt has taken on him and his family. While he has long projected a tough, fearless image, he admitted that the experience left deep emotional scars. He described being more aware of his surroundings and said he has doubled down on security measures at all his events.

Despite the trauma, Trump insisted that the incident only strengthened his resolve to continue serving his supporters and fighting for his vision of America. “You have to keep going,” he said firmly. “You can’t let fear win. You can’t let the bad guys win.”

The anniversary of that fateful day stands as a stark reminder not only of the risks faced by public figures but also of the resilience and spirit that define Trump’s public persona. Love him or loathe him, his survival and continued political rise after such a harrowing event illustrate the unpredictable, often dangerous path of modern American politics.

As Trump concluded in his interview, staring straight into the camera, “We live in a tough world. You have to be strong, you have to be vigilant. And sometimes… you just have to thank God you’re still here.”