The billionaire endorses Trump as Secret Service ramps up security for the former president’s return to Butler.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced his support for former President Donald Trump ahead of a rally scheduled this weekend in Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of an assassination attempt on Trump’s life just three months ago. In a tweet late Thursday, Musk confirmed he would attend the rally, expressing his solidarity with Trump following the harrowing July 13th incident in which a bullet grazed Trump’s ear.
“I will be there to support!” Musk wrote in a retweet of Trump’s promotional post for the rally.
The infamous photo of Trump, fist raised with blood smeared across his face following the attempt, has become an iconic image. The rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds will be Trump’s first return to the site where he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt that claimed the life of rally attendee Corey Comperatore and left two others wounded. The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents shortly after he opened fire from a rooftop.
Musk’s endorsement of Trump came mere minutes after the failed assassination attempt, in which he tweeted, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.” The tech mogul has been vocal in his criticism of the Secret Service’s handling of the incident, which led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. In the wake of the attack, Musk’s support of Trump has only grown, further cementing his alliance with the 45th president.
While the assassination attempt rattled the political world, Trump’s determination to return to Butler has been unwavering. “I’m coming back to Butler!” Trump wrote across the rally’s promotional image, set against the backdrop of his blood-streaked face.
Trump recently expressed concerns over his safety in an interview with NewsNation’s “CUOMO,” noting that he is “always worried” about the risks involved with attending rallies. He added that the White House has been “very unfair” in its treatment of his security concerns, leading to calls for increased protections. In response, President Joe Biden signed a bill enhancing Secret Service protection for Trump earlier this week, granting him the same level of security as the sitting president and vice president.
The upcoming rally will feature heightened security, with the Secret Service preparing for between 15,000 and 60,000 attendees. In addition to hundreds of agents, state and local law enforcement officers, drones, and snipers will be stationed to ensure safety at the event. These measures come on the heels of a second foiled assassination attempt at Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, golf course, further emphasizing the need for rigorous security.
As Musk, a highly influential figure in both tech and politics, prepares to attend the rally, his presence signals a notable alignment with Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Despite the ongoing threats, both Musk and Trump are pushing forward, setting the stage for a high-stakes event in Butler that will be watched closely by the nation.
