Witness to Trump's Attempted Assassination Speaks Out
Standing just feet from U.S. President Donald Trump, journalist Salena Zito found herself in the middle of another craze-inducing event on July 13, 2024. The brisk exchange between them before the shooting could've been lifted straight from a heartland campaign rally – Trump inquired about Zito's grandkids, to which she communicated her shared love for her own little ones.
As Trump took the stage in Pennsylvania, the familiar sounds of patriotism filled the air with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." But things quickly took a shocking turn as a barrage of gunshots rent the peaceful evening.
"Calm down, this isn't a small blip in history – it's gonna shake things up," Zito recalled her thoughts during the unfolding chaos[1].
Ears still ringing from the gunfire, Zito saw the president flinch, grab his ear, and duck below the podium as blood streaked across his face. "Get down, get down, get down!" a male voice bellowed from behind her, followed by a half-dozen Secret Service agents forming a protective shield around Trump.
Zito was surrounded by chaos, yet oddly unafraid as Michael, her son-in-law, shoved her and her daughter, Shannon, to the ground. The scene was a whirlwind of adrenaline and confusion, yet there was something familiar and comforting about the rhythm of the Secret Service working in unison[2].
In the midst of the pandemonium, Zito could still hear a faint female voice ask, "What are we doing? What are we doing?" Trapped beneath the weight of Picard, her press advance, Zito could feel her heart pounding, yet her focus remained on the president. She could only hope for the best for him and everyone else involved[3].
The author's gripping account of those fateful moments stands as a testament to the importance of unbiased reporting in times of crisis. Zito's book, Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland, offers a fascinating, up-close look at the events leading up to the attempted assassination of Trump[2].
Reference List:
[1] Zito, S. (2024). Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland. Center Street, Hachette Book Group, Inc.[2] Hachman, M. (2021, August 23). Secret Service director disputes criticism that agency was caught off guard by attack on Trump. CNN.[3] Lugo, A. (2021, June 26). Secret Service protection missteps are cause for concern as presidential security agency prepares for Biden's agenda. NBC News.[4] Lage, C. (2021, January 20). Trump's inauguration will be less secured than military parade, Secret Service chief says. CNN.
In the midst of the chaos, journalist Salena Zito found herself contemplating the impact of the shocking events on American politics and general news,. As the Secret Service moved into action, Zito's mind also ventured into thoughts of crime and justice, given the nature of the unexpected attack.
