Trump Returns to Campaign Trail, Claims He “Took a Bullet for Democracy”

Donald Trump made a dramatic return to the campaign trail in Michigan, his first rally since surviving an assassination attempt last week.

At a glance:

• Trump tells supporters he “took a bullet for democracy” at Michigan rally
• Former president mocks Biden’s COVID diagnosis and leadership uncertainty in Democratic party
• Increased security measures in place following last week’s shooting incident
• Trump maintains lead in Michigan polls over Biden, according to recent surveys

Donald Trump held his first campaign rally since surviving an assassination attempt, addressing a packed arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The former president used the event to attack his Democratic rivals and reassert his position in the presidential race.

Trump’s Defiant Return

Speaking to thousands of supporters, Trump claimed he “took a bullet for democracy,” referencing the recent attempt on his life. He appeared with a smaller bandage replacing the prominent white covering seen during the Republican National Convention. Trump told the crowd he stood before them “by the grace of God,” adding, “I shouldn’t be here, but let’s face it, something very special happened.”

Attacks on Democratic Rivals

Trump mocked the current crisis in the Democratic party, saying, “They don’t know who their candidate is, and neither do we.” He criticized both President Joe Biden, who is currently recovering from COVID-19, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is well-positioned to become the Democratic nominee if Biden steps aside.

The former president distanced himself from Project 2025, a controversial policy proposal from the Heritage Foundation, describing it as the work of the “severe right” and claiming no knowledge of its contents.

Security and Supporter Turnout

The rally saw increased security measures following last week’s shooting incident. Despite safety concerns, thousands of supporters lined up for hours to attend the event. Many expressed their continued support for Trump, with some stating that the assassination attempt motivated them to attend.

Political Landscape

Recent polling averages show Trump with a 4% lead over Biden in Michigan, a crucial battleground state. This trend is reportedly consistent across other key states, especially following Biden’s poorly received debate performance three weeks ago.