Senator John Fetterman: Trump’s “Special Connection” with Pennsylvania Deepened After Assassination Attempt
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) believes that former President Donald Trump has forged a unique bond with the people of Pennsylvania, which only grew stronger after he survived an assassination attempt in Western Pennsylvania on July 13. Fetterman made the observation during a conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, at the 2024 Atlantic Festival on Thursday.
“Trump has created a special kind of hold within the coronet he’s remade—the party—and he has a special kind of place in Pennsylvania, and I think that only deepened after the first assassination attempt,” Fetterman said.
Assassination Attempt Shakes Pennsylvania Rally
The harrowing event Fetterman referenced took place at a Trump rally when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from an uncovered roof approximately 150 yards from Trump’s podium. The attack resulted in the death of retired firefighter Corey Comperatore, with two other rally attendees critically wounded. Trump narrowly escaped serious injury; his ear was grazed by a bullet as he turned to look at a chart mid-speech.
The near-death experience left a significant impact on both the former president and his supporters, according to Fetterman. The senator expressed his belief that the attack only deepened Trump’s emotional connection with Pennsylvanians.
The Energy in Pennsylvania
“I also want people to understand, you know, and it’s not science, but there is, there’s energy and there are kinds of anger on the ground in Pennsylvania — and people are very committed and strong,” Fetterman explained. He went on to joke that Trump’s campaign signs have become like the “state flower,” symbolizing the widespread support for the former president across the state.
Trump, undeterred by the assassination attempt, will return to Butler, Pennsylvania for another rally in October. He confirmed the rally plans during an X Spaces conversation with Elon Musk, saying, “We’re going back to Butler… the people are fantastic in Butler. It’s a big, great area.”
Trump also expressed his respect and connection with the families of the victims, adding, “These are incredible people. Like the three that, in the case of Corey, killed, and the other two. The families are great, I’ve gotten to know them. But we’re going back to Butler.”
Fetterman Unconvinced by Polling Numbers
While several polls currently show Vice President Kamala Harris leading over Trump in Pennsylvania, Fetterman remains skeptical. He recalled the polling missteps of the 2016 election, when many predicted a Hillary Clinton victory over Trump. “Everybody thought that it was in the bag, but that’s not the energy and the other kinds of things that were really consistent with what I’m witnessing all across,” Fetterman remarked. “And then, sadly, we saw what happened.”
As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, Fetterman’s observations reflect the complex political landscape in Pennsylvania, a state that continues to be a critical battleground for both parties. Trump’s upcoming rally in Butler, coupled with the lingering emotional and political impact of the assassination attempt, will likely fuel even more attention on Pennsylvania’s role in the election.