The claim that former US President Donald Trump believed a higher power spared him after he survived a rally-targeted shooting circulated in major outlets, with details traced to a Washington Post report and a source who spoke with the newspaper.
The source described Trump as convinced that a divine gift had enabled his survival, noting that the idea left the former president shaken. The Post’s account quoted the unnamed insider as saying Trump struggled to reconcile the event with his sense of purpose and protection.
The incident occurred during an evening rally where Trump was on stage before supporters. Reports indicate he was struck by gunfire and sustained injuries, including a bleeding ear, before security moved him offstage and medical personnel treated him. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for further evaluation and care and was later discharged after receiving medical attention.
Authorities identified the assailant as a suspect who was neutralized at the scene. FBI statements described the individual as a 20-year-old Pennsylvania resident named Thomas Matthew Crooks. According to coverage in several outlets, the shooter opened fire from a rooftop position at a facility located roughly 400 feet from the stage where Trump spoke.
Earlier commentary in Austrian media referenced Trump’s apparent confidence in victory following the event, suggesting a belief in an inevitable electoral outcome despite the unprecedented threat. The broader reaction across political circles highlighted questions about security, continuity of leadership, and the impact of such violence on political discourse.