Former President Donald Trump said the assassination attempt on his life over the weekend has left an impact.
In a phone call with ABC News’ Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on Monday as the Republican National Convention kicked off, Karl asked the former president if the close call with the bullet striking his right ear “changed him?”
“I don’t like to think about that, but, yes,” Trump said, adding that the incident “has an impact.”
In the hours that followed the assassination attempt at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, President Joe Biden reached out to his political opponent. Asked about their phone call, Trump described the conversation as “very nice,” adding of the man he’s vying against for the presidency, “He couldn’t have been nicer.”
During an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt on Monday, President Biden was also asked about his phone call with Trump after this past weekend’s shooting, which he described as a “very cordial” conversation.
Former President Donald Trump on stage as gunshots are fired at his campaign rally in Butler, Pa., July 13, 2024.
Doug Mills/The New York Times via Redux Pictures
“I told him how concerned I was and wanted to make sure I knew how he was actually doing. He sounded good. He said he was fine. And he thanked me for calling him. I told him he was literally in the prayers of Jill and me, and I hoped his whole family was weathering this,” Biden said.
While speaking with ABC News’ Karl, Trump marveled at the people he said called him in the aftermath of the assassination attempt, including prominent individuals who have been critical of him in the past.
Trump also said his right ear is doing fine and that he hopes the bandage will be off by the time he speaks on Thursday at the RNC.
While speaking with Karl, Trump also addressed choosing Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate.
“I get along with him great,” Trump said of his VP pick.
He acknowledged that Vance had said some negative things about him, but “once he got to know me, he was all in.”
Asked how he plans to use Vance in the campaign, Trump said, “I’m going to leave him in Pennsylvania.”
Then, Trump said, he would send him to Wisconsin and “a lot of other places where people are hurting.”
The recent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through the political world, raising questions about the safety of our leaders and the state of political discourse in America. The incident occurred during a campaign rally in Nevada, where a man armed with a handgun attempted to approach the stage where Trump was speaking before being apprehended by security.
The attempted assassination has sparked a debate about the impact of violent rhetoric and the need for increased security measures for political figures. In response to the incident, President Trump has called for unity and condemned the violence, stating that “political violence has no place in our country.” He has also praised the Secret Service for their quick response in preventing any harm to himself or his supporters.
On the other side of the aisle, Democratic nominee Joe Biden has also condemned the assassination attempt, calling it “unacceptable and un-American.” Biden has called for a return to civility in politics and has urged his supporters to focus on policy differences rather than resorting to violence.
Both Trump and Biden have emphasized the importance of coming together as a nation and finding common ground, despite their political differences. The incident has highlighted the need for leaders to set an example of civility and respect in their rhetoric, in order to prevent further acts of violence.
In the wake of the assassination attempt, both candidates have increased their security measures and are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of themselves and their supporters. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that political figures face in today’s polarized climate, and the need for increased vigilance in protecting our leaders.
As the election season heats up, it is crucial for all Americans to remember that political differences should never escalate to violence. Both Trump and Biden have shown leadership in condemning the attempted assassination and calling for unity, setting an example for their supporters to follow. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever for our leaders to come together and work towards a more peaceful and respectful political discourse.
