7 US presidents who survived assassination attempts: From Andrew Jackson to Donald Trump
7. President Donald Trump — July 13, 2024
During a 2024 presidential campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania, a sniper opened fire on then-former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump while he was speaking at a campaign stop, hitting him in the ear before a counter-sniper killed the shooter.
Rallygoer Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed by the alleged assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who also severely wounded two other people at the event: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
Crooks was allegedly a registered Republican who had previously donated money to the Progressive Turnout Project through the Democratic donation platform ActBlue.
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump stated the day after the shooting.
“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.”
The second assassination attempt on Trump occurred on Sept. 15, 2024, at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to authorities, Ryan Wesley Routh was armed with a rifle and discovered hiding near the course while Trump was playing. A U.S. Secret Service agent spotted him before any shots were fired and opened fire, prompting Routh to flee.
Routh was later apprehended by law enforcement and charged with federal offenses. Trump was not harmed in the incident.
In February, Routh, 59, was sentenced to life in prison.
Last month, the White House Correspondents' Association dinner was the scene of the third assassination attempt on Trump's life. The annual event (held April 25) was abruptly halted that night at the Washington Hilton after an armed 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen attempted to kill the president and members of his cabinet.
"That was very unexpected, but incredibly acted upon by the Secret Service and law
enforcement," said Trump during a brief impromptu press briefing that same evening, shortly after the U.S. Secret Service escorted him back to the White House.
Allen is facing three federal charges, with more anticipated as the investigation reveals he spent weeks planning the attack.
