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Salena Zito’s firsthand account of the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on Donald Trump reveals critical moments that shaped the former president’s response and the rally’s aftermath. Standing just when the shooting began, Zito describes Trump’s immediate reaction as one of instinctual defiance. Moments before his iconic fist-pump and shouted “Fight! Fight! Fight!” rallying cry, Trump reportedly told Zito in a later interview: “I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?”. This statement underscores his belief that glancing away from the crowd at the critical moment saved his life by altering the bullet’s trajectory.
Zito’s book, Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America’s Heartland, highlights Trump’s resolve to stand up despite Secret Service urging him to take cover. he later explained to Zito. His decision to raise his fist—bloodied but unbowed—transformed the attack into a political watershed, galvanizing his base and reshaping his campaign’s tone.
Key revelations from Zito’s reporting include:
– : Trump privately attributed his survival to divine protection, telling Zito: “God saved me for a reason”. This sentiment became central to his post-shooting rhetoric, framing the event as a spiritual turning point.
– : The attack exposed glaring lapses in Secret Service planning, including inadequate coordination with local law enforcement and delayed response times. Zito’s interviews with Butler residents and officials revealed frustrations over preventable oversights, such as failing to monitor the rooftop where the shooter positioned himself.
– : While Trump’s assassination attempt is the most prominent, Zito notes that —contrary to some local folklore. The location’s rural, working-class demographics made it emblematic of Trump’s “heartland strategy” to reconnect with disaffected voters.
The phrase “Fight! Fight! Fight!” became a defining slogan of Trump’s 2024 campaign, symbolizing resilience against political opposition and media criticism. Zito’s narrative weaves these themes into a broader analysis of Trump’s coalition, arguing that his survival and response cemented his image as a “warrior president” unwilling to back down.
