Trump pledges to return in Butler County, honor Comperatore
Former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said in a Friday, July 26, post on social media he will return to Butler County for a “big and beautiful” rally honoring the former Buffalo Township fire chief Corey Comperatore, who died at the July 13 campaign rally amid an assassination attempt.
The post did not include any details on a time frame for a future visit.
The July 13 rally ended abruptly after a gunman, 20-year-old Bethel Park resident Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot at Trump from a nearby roof and killed Comperatore, while injuring Trump, David Dutch and James Copenhaver.
“I will be going back to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a big and beautiful rally, honoring the soul of our beloved firefighting hero, Corey, and those brave patriots injured two weeks ago,” Trump wrote, in all caps on Truth Social. “What a day it will be — fight, fight, fight! Stay tuned for details.”
The announcement came a week after the funeral for Comperatore, whose service was July 19 at Cabot Church.
Trump also is slated to return to Pennsylvania next week for the first time since the assassination attempt, for an indoor rally Wednesday evening in Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. The Secret Service has encouraged the Trump campaign to stop its outdoor rallies in favor of indoor events, which NBC News reported he plans to follow for the foreseeable future.
Doors for that event open at 2 p.m., and Trump is set to speak at 6 p.m., according to the event page.
Local officials learned of Trump’s rally through his post, which went up at 4:20 p.m.
Butler County Commissioners Chairwoman Leslie Osche was still processing the information in the evening.
“I have no words,” Osche said.
Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel said he hopes the Trump campaign better coordinates with the local law enforcement so there are no risks in security should the former president return to the area.
“If you’re going to expect the local law enforcement, you should coordinate with them ahead of time,” Boozel said.
A representative from the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, said the congressman had no information on Friday evening regarding Trump’s plans.
Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo said he and the Butler community are excited to host Trump once again. Longo spoke on stage at the July 13 rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds just before the gunman making an attempt on Trump’s life.
“I think it’s going to be a really powerful testament to not only his personal fortitude, which he put on full display for the world on July 13, but also his dedication to and love for the people of Butler County.”
Longo added Trump’s visit will play a “vital role in the healing of our community and the elevation of the name of Butler County above the ugliness” of the assassination attempt.
Regarding concerns over Trump’s safety when visiting Butler again, Longo said he didn’t want to “live ... in fear” or “with regret” following the shooting that left many community members in shock.
“We can’t live that way in fear, and we can’t live with regret,” Longo said. “And it’s imperative at this juncture in the nation’s history, despite having fears or feelings that might make us want to stand down, that we do not.”
The Indiana Gazette is assisting the Butler Eagle with reporting resources.
Tribune News Service contributed to this report.
