02:59Hundreds of Republican supporters gathered outside the Van Ansel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday for former President Donald Trump's first presidential campaign rally since his assassination attempt on July 13.
Footage shows people arriving at the arena and queuing up while dressed in Trump 2024 merchandise. A large screen outside the venue can be seen displaying the sign 'Michigan welcomes Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance. Michigan is Trump country.'
"I feel safe, I feel more than safe," one of the rally attendees said. "Police - they're around every corner, every block, there's people everywhere. It's unfortunate what happened - it happens. It's life."
Another attendee added that Trump has 'moderated his tone' since his assassination attempt, stating "I think a lot of people that don't like him and have not liked him because of the language and the rhetoric he used. I think this is the mature Trump, I think, most people wanted.
This is Trump's first rally since being officially nominated as the 2024 Republican candidate by the Republican National Committee in Milwaukee. During the RNC, the former president announced Ohio's Senator J.D. Vance as his vice president running mate.
"I think J.D. Vance is a young guy, he has got a great story. I think it's a very American story," an attendee commented. "He is a little young maybe, but he is not running for president, is running for vice president. So, so far I think he is a good choice."
The rally comes a week after Trump escaped with minor injuries after shots were fired during another rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The former president was seen with blood on his face after a bullet grazed his ear, as well as raising his fist to the crowd and shouting 'fight' as the secret service moved him to the motorcade.
The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene. It was reported that he was a registered Republican, but had also donated $15 to a Democrat-aligned political action committee the day Joe Biden began his presidency. His motive remains unknown.
One spectator, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, was also killed in the shooting and two others were wounded.
'It's unfortunate what happened' - Hundreds gather in Michigan for Trump's first rally since assassination attempt
Hundreds of Republican supporters gathered outside the Van Ansel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday for former President Donald Trump's first presidential campaign rally since his assassination attempt on July 13.
Footage shows people arriving at the arena and queuing up while dressed in Trump 2024 merchandise. A large screen outside the venue can be seen displaying the sign 'Michigan welcomes Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance. Michigan is Trump country.'
"I feel safe, I feel more than safe," one of the rally attendees said. "Police - they're around every corner, every block, there's people everywhere. It's unfortunate what happened - it happens. It's life."
Another attendee added that Trump has 'moderated his tone' since his assassination attempt, stating "I think a lot of people that don't like him and have not liked him because of the language and the rhetoric he used. I think this is the mature Trump, I think, most people wanted.
This is Trump's first rally since being officially nominated as the 2024 Republican candidate by the Republican National Committee in Milwaukee. During the RNC, the former president announced Ohio's Senator J.D. Vance as his vice president running mate.
"I think J.D. Vance is a young guy, he has got a great story. I think it's a very American story," an attendee commented. "He is a little young maybe, but he is not running for president, is running for vice president. So, so far I think he is a good choice."
The rally comes a week after Trump escaped with minor injuries after shots were fired during another rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The former president was seen with blood on his face after a bullet grazed his ear, as well as raising his fist to the crowd and shouting 'fight' as the secret service moved him to the motorcade.
The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene. It was reported that he was a registered Republican, but had also donated $15 to a Democrat-aligned political action committee the day Joe Biden began his presidency. His motive remains unknown.
One spectator, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, was also killed in the shooting and two others were wounded.
Hundreds of Republican supporters gathered outside the Van Ansel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday for former President Donald Trump's first presidential campaign rally since his assassination attempt on July 13.
Footage shows people arriving at the arena and queuing up while dressed in Trump 2024 merchandise. A large screen outside the venue can be seen displaying the sign 'Michigan welcomes Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance. Michigan is Trump country.'
"I feel safe, I feel more than safe," one of the rally attendees said. "Police - they're around every corner, every block, there's people everywhere. It's unfortunate what happened - it happens. It's life."
Another attendee added that Trump has 'moderated his tone' since his assassination attempt, stating "I think a lot of people that don't like him and have not liked him because of the language and the rhetoric he used. I think this is the mature Trump, I think, most people wanted.
This is Trump's first rally since being officially nominated as the 2024 Republican candidate by the Republican National Committee in Milwaukee. During the RNC, the former president announced Ohio's Senator J.D. Vance as his vice president running mate.
"I think J.D. Vance is a young guy, he has got a great story. I think it's a very American story," an attendee commented. "He is a little young maybe, but he is not running for president, is running for vice president. So, so far I think he is a good choice."
The rally comes a week after Trump escaped with minor injuries after shots were fired during another rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The former president was seen with blood on his face after a bullet grazed his ear, as well as raising his fist to the crowd and shouting 'fight' as the secret service moved him to the motorcade.
The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene. It was reported that he was a registered Republican, but had also donated $15 to a Democrat-aligned political action committee the day Joe Biden began his presidency. His motive remains unknown.
One spectator, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, was also killed in the shooting and two others were wounded.