Trump leaves Bedminster for RNC as fans praise him as ‘superhero’ less than 24 hours after assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump left his New Jersey golf club under heavy security Sunday afternoon – as he headed to the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin less than 24 hours after being injured in an assassination attempt.
Trump’s motorcade was spotted leaving the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster en route to Newark Liberty International Airport shortly after 4 p.m., according to ABC7’s Kemberly Richardson.
Throughout the day on Sunday, a rotating group of 10 to 50 devoted Trump fans wielding campaign flags gathered down the street from the golf club to offer him their support.
Local resident Louis Damore, 61, told The Post that he was using his one day off from running his air conditioning business to show his support for the Republican frontrunner.
“I’m here to support my superhero. Donald Trump is my superhero,” Damore gushed.
Everything we know about the Trump assassination attempt
- 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified as the shooter who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
- Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service agents.
- The gunman grazed Trump’s ear, killed a 50-year-old retired fire chief, and injured two other rally-goers.
- Investigators detailed Crooks’ search history to lawmakers, revealing that he looked for the dates of Trump’s appearances and the Democratic National Convention.
- Crooks’ search history also revealed a broad interest in high-profile people and celebrities, regardless of their political affiliation, FBI officials reportedly said.
- Trump exclusively recounted surviving the “surreal” assassination attempt with The Post at the rally, remarking, “I’m supposed to be dead.”
- High-profile politicians, including President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, addressed the nation about the shooting, calling it “a heinous, horrible and cowardly act.”
“How this could happen is beyond belief,” he added, referring to the chaotic scene that erupted when a gunman opened fire at Trump’s rally in Butler, Penn., grazing the former president’s ear and killing one attendee.
“We should have answers by tomorrow morning as to why this guy was up on the roof,” Damore said of the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
The 20-year-old was shot dead by the Secret Service on the roof of a manufacturing plant 130 yards from the rally site. He was found with an AR-style rifle, and explosives were later located in his car.
Damore said that he believed Trump’s near-miss was an act of divine intervention.
“My take, it was God last night that did this. 100%. The guy should be dead,” he told The Post.
“And what would we be talking about right now, God forbid, if that did happen? Civil war? I believe so,” he continued, adding that he believes the US is “losing civilization” due to political divides.
“So what I took out of this is God was at the podium last night with Mr. Trump. Saved his life. If he [had not] turned his head, his head would have been somewhere else okay?” Damore insisted.
Earlier on Sunday, a senior aide for Trump’s campaign confirmed that the real estate mogul turned to reference the jumbotron just as Crooks opened fire.
At least one expert has gone on the record saying that the split-second move likely saved Trump’s life.
Speaking from the side of the road, Damore lamented that there were not more people showing their support for Trump after Saturday night’s ordeal.
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks visited gun range dozens of times — including Christmas — for ‘intense preparation’- Newly surfaced texts show Trump rally gunman was on authorities’ radar more than 90 minutes before shooting: report
- FBI to conduct victim interview with Donald Trump after assassination attempt
- Ex-Trump doc says FBI’s Wray is ‘wrong’ to doubt ex-prez was struck by bullet: ‘Absolutely no evidence’
- Trump defends female Secret Service agent who was criticized after assassination attempt: ‘So brave’
“I can’t believe there ain’t more people out here supporting this guy,” he said.
“I know it’s hot out today, but they’re driving by, they’re blowing their horns and support. But what this man is doing for my family, my grandchildren, this is the least I can do.”
The passersby have been mostly friendly, Damore said of the drivers passing through the intersection.
“I saw a handful of middle fingers,” he noted.
Trump arrived at the golf club early Sunday morning, after his private plane touched down in Newark.
Shortly after 2 p.m., the former president announced that he would leave for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee at 3:30.
“Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin…by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” he shared on Truth Social.
President Joe Biden – who faced off with Trump during a disastrous debate last month – urged the public not to make “assumptions” about the motivation behind the assassination attempt during a media conference Sunday afternoon.
Biden will also deliver a rare Oval Office address at 8 p.m..
