Billionaire Elon Musk has announced his plans to attend former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, this weekend.
🚨BREAKING: Elon Musk to attend Donald Trump’s return to Butler Rally on Saturday
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 4, 2024
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Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, confirmed his attendance in a tweet late Thursday, expressing his support for Trump’s return to the location of the attempted assassination in July.
“I will be there to support!” Musk tweeted, responding to Trump’s promotion of the Saturday rally.
I will be there to support! https://t.co/nokR0g3dn1
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 4, 2024
The former president had shared an image of himself with a raised fist, blood smeared on his face, taken shortly after the assassination attempt at his Butler rally on July 13.
Trump’s tweet featured the bold message, “I’m coming back to Butler!” in reference to his return to the Butler Farm Showgrounds, where the incident occurred.
Musk, who officially endorsed Trump following the assassination attempt, first voiced his backing on social media within half an hour of the attack that left Trump with a grazed ear from a bullet.
The incident in July claimed the life of rally attendee Corey Comperatore and left two others seriously injured.
The would-be assassin, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents after he opened fire from a rooftop near the fairgrounds.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X, the platform he owns, shortly after the attack.
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
Musk has since been outspoken in his criticism of the Secret Service’s actions during the event, leading to an internal investigation.
Following the assassination attempt, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, amid scrutiny over the agency’s handling of security during Trump’s rally.
Trump, during an interview with NewsNation’s “CUOMO” on Wednesday, voiced his concerns about the level of protection at his events.
“Well, I’m always worried,” Trump said when asked about his safety ahead of the upcoming rally. “I think that the White House isn’t treating us very good… And we have to get better security. It’s really being led more so by the White House than anybody else.”
In response to growing concerns over Trump’s security, Joe Biden signed a bill earlier this week that enhances Secret Service protection for the Republican nominee.
The legislation, passed unanimously by both the House and Senate, grants Trump the same level of security as the sitting president and vice president.
The Secret Service has traditionally provided the highest level of protection to sitting presidents, but calls for increased security for Trump intensified after a second assassination attempt was thwarted at his Palm Beach, Florida, golf course last month.
In that instance, Secret Service agents apprehended Ryan Wesley Routh, who had been spotted aiming a firearm through a fence on the property.
For the upcoming rally in Butler, the Secret Service is preparing for a large turnout, with expectations of 15,000 to 60,000 attendees.
Enhanced security measures will be in place, including hundreds of Secret Service agents, state and local law enforcement officers, drones, and snipers.
As Trump returns to Butler for the first time since the July attack, both supporters and security forces are gearing up for what is expected to be a significant event in his campaign.
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