When Donald Trump sets foot in Butler, Pennsylvania this Saturday, it will be more than just another rally. For a town that has seen him win by a landslide, twice, it’s a homecoming with deep emotional layers. Butler isn’t just Trump country; it’s the place where, just a few months ago, a bullet nearly took his life. And now, the town, still grappling with that traumatic event, must confront its feelings as their former president returns to the scene of the near-assassination.

A Bullet and a Community Shattered

On July 13, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear while he stood at the same rally grounds he will return to this weekend. That day left Butler forever changed. The scars run deep, not just for the Republican Party members or the thousands of loyal Trump supporters in the area, but for the entire community.

“It was the saddest moment of my life,” said Jim Hulings, chairman of the Butler County Republican Party. He stood just 30 feet away from Trump when the shots rang out, believing for a split second that the president had been killed. “I was horrified to think that somebody had the audacity to shoot a great man,” Hulings added, still visibly shaken by the memory.

For many in Butler, that day was the unthinkable becoming real. This is a county where political loyalties are carved in stone. Since 1874, Butler has voted Democrat only once in a presidential election. In 2020, Trump received double the votes of Joe Biden. And in 2016, he defeated Hillary Clinton here by a similarly wide margin.

Guilt, Sadness, and Questions That Linger

Jondavid Longo, mayor of Slippery Rock, a neighboring town, was on stage moments before the gunman opened fire. His first instinct was to shield his pregnant wife with his body. He says the events of that day play out in his mind every single day.

“It’s hard for us to accept,” Longo admits. “There’s guilt, too, because someone else died that day.”

That someone was Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer firefighter who heroically threw himself in front of the bullets to protect his wife and daughters. His widow, Helen, is still trying to process the shock of it all.

“I think about it every day. I see it every time I close my eyes,” she says, her voice trembling as she recalls their 29-year marriage. Both lifelong Trump supporters, Corey and Helen had even joked that day about Trump calling Corey on stage. Instead, days later, Corey’s fire chief’s jacket was placed on stage at the Republican convention in Milwaukee in a tribute to his sacrifice.

Security Failures and Haunting Regrets

The tragedy of that day isn’t just the loss of life; it’s the realization that it could have been prevented. The gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, managed to bypass security in a series of catastrophic failures.

Two hours before the shooting, Crooks flew a drone over the rally site without being detected, due to Secret Service counter-surveillance equipment malfunctioning. Alarming sightings of Crooks, armed with a rangefinder (a device often used by hunters), were not properly communicated to all security personnel. And despite being seen by police just minutes before he opened fire, Crooks managed to scale a building and fire eight shots. His life ended with a single shot to the head from a Secret Service sniper.

Those who were there that day are still haunted by the missed chances to stop the shooter. Greg Smith, a local businessman, was one of the first to notice Crooks on the roof, attempting to warn the Secret Service but to no avail.

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“I was frustrated beyond belief,” Smith recalls. “He was up there for minutes. We were pointing, yelling. But nothing was done.”

Healing Amidst Anger

For Helen Comperatore and her daughters, returning to the site of Corey’s death this weekend isn’t a decision taken lightly. Yet, for her, it feels like the only choice. “It’s what Corey would have wanted,” she says quietly.

Others in Butler share that sentiment—anger mixed with the urge to keep going, to keep supporting the man they believe in, despite the fear and trauma that lingers. Even with the frustrations over security failures, many are steadfast in their loyalty to Trump.

Trump’s Return: A Time to Reflect and Move Forward

As Trump steps on stage this Saturday, Butler will once again rally around him, but the emotions will be palpable. The town has been through something no one expected, something that left it questioning not just security but the very fabric of their community. How could this happen here, in a place so staunchly supportive?

For now, Butler is trying to heal—piece by piece, rally by rally. But the questions remain, and the scars of July 13 will be felt for a long time to come.

Trump’s return might bring a sense of closure for some. For others, it will serve as a reminder of what was lost that day and the fragility of the world they once felt so sure about. Regardless, the town will welcome him back with open arms, because in Butler, some loyalties don’t waver—even when tested to the extreme.