Trump Remarks: ‘Assassination Attempts Happen to Consequential Presidents’

During his first campaign event following an attempted assassination, former President Donald Trump suggested that his bold policies make him a target. Speaking at a town hall event in Flint, Michigan, alongside Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump tied the attempts on his life to the significant impact of his presidency.

Trump addressed the crowd, focusing heavily on the state of the U.S. automotive industry, which he says has declined due to the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs to countries like Mexico and China. He promised a major tariff on foreign-manufactured vehicles if he is re-elected.

“We’re putting a 200% tariff on them, which means they’re unsellable,” Trump vowed, as he discussed the need to bring jobs back to Michigan, once a powerhouse of the U.S. car manufacturing industry. He lamented the state’s decline but reassured the crowd that he would reinvigorate American industry, starting with a massive overhaul of trade policies.

Trump’s tone then shifted as he addressed the recent attempt on his life, which involved a man hiding for 12 hours near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, allegedly aiming to shoot him. “And then you wonder why I get shot at,” Trump remarked. “You know, only consequential presidents get shot at. But you have to do what you have to do. You have to be brave. Otherwise, you’re not going to have a country left.”

Sunday’s assassination attempt came just two months after Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident underscored the ongoing security risks surrounding the former president, a recurring theme in his campaign as he paints himself as a leader who stands up to powerful interests.

At the Flint town hall, Trump remained focused on the economy and trade, promising to reverse the decades-long trend of outsourcing that has hurt Michigan’s blue-collar workforce. With Michigan as a critical swing state in the 2024 election, the former president's message was clear: a vote for him means a return to American manufacturing dominance and jobs for Michiganders.

RealClearPolitics polling averages show Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by less than 1 percentage point in the state, making Michigan a crucial battleground. Trump’s economic promises could resonate strongly with voters feeling left behind by global trade policies.

Trump’s remarks were as bold as ever, with the former president tying his political relevance directly to the dangers he faces. “Only consequential presidents get shot at,” he said, framing the attempts on his life as proof of his leadership and the significance of his agenda.

As the 2024 election nears, Trump’s strategy of emphasizing his toughness, combined with promises of economic revival, aims to win back crucial swing voters in Michigan and other industrial states.

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