Former President Donald Trump has admitted to not feeling safe on the campaign trail, claiming that the risks he faces mean he's "doing the right thing." He has blamed the rhetoric of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the violence directed at him.
Former President Donald Trump has admitted to not feeling safe on the campaign trail, fearing for his life amid threats and assassination attempts. In an exclusive interview with Fox Nation host Kellyanne Conway, Trump shared his concerns about the risks associated with running for president.
"I'm in a very dangerous position and, sadly, it's only consequential presidents that this happens to," Trump said on Fox Nation's "Here's the Deal with Kellyanne."
Trump Admits Feeling Unsafe on Campaign Trail, Blames Political Rhetoric
Trump's fears are not unfounded. He narrowly dodged death twice. The first attempt occurred at an open-air rally outside Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, when a bullet missed his skull by inches. The second attempt took place at the Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach County, Florida, in September, when a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a gun and immediately opened fire.
Trump believes that the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, as well as other prominent Democratic politicians, has fueled the violence against him.
Trump Admits Feeling Unsafe on Campaign Trail, Blames Political Rhetoric
"He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it," Trump said of Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the second assassination attempt. "Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country — both from the inside and out."
Despite his concerns, Trump has vowed to continue fighting and has announced he will be returning to the site of his first assassination attempt on Oct. 5 to "finish" his speech from July 13.
Trump Admits Feeling Unsafe on Campaign Trail, Blames Political Rhetoric
"President Donald J. Trump will return to Butler, Pennsylvania, to hold a rally on the very same ground where he came within a quarter of an inch of losing his life less than three months ago," the campaign said in a news release late September.
Trump's decision to return to Butler has raised concerns about his safety. Following the first assassination attempt, multiple Secret Service agents were put on leave. However, Trump's Secret Service detail now matches that of an incumbent president.
Trump Admits Feeling Unsafe on Campaign Trail, Blames Political Rhetoric
In a separate interview with Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt, former First Lady Melania Trump echoed these concerns. She said she saw the first assassination attempt unfold on television and immediately called her husband.
"As soon as I saw it on television, I called again, and he was OK because Secret Service were great," she said. "The team, they were fantastic, and I think both of the events, they were really miracles. If you really think about it, July 13 was a miracle. How… like that much," she said, gesturing a tiny distance with her fingers, "And he could not be with us."
Trump Admits Feeling Unsafe on Campaign Trail, Blames Political Rhetoric
Despite the risks, Trump remains determined to continue his campaign. He believes that he is the only one who can save the country from the dangers he believes it faces. However, his decision to return to Butler has raised questions about whether he is putting himself in unnecessary danger.
