Security was noticeably tighter than Trump’s July rally, with sniper squads atop surrounding buildings, and a surveillance drone deployed overhead.
“There’s a lot going on that’s unnerving,” said Heather Hughes, 43, who had travelled from New Castle in must-win Pennsylvania.
“Do I think he’s safe? No, I think there’s going to be another attempt. But I think he’s going to make it through”.
After the assassination attempt, pictures of Trump – with a blood-streaked face, pumping his fist and shouting “fight, fight, fight” – became defining images of the campaign.
On Saturday, many Trump supporters wore shirts emblazoned with the iconography, and some sported ear coverings recalling the bandage the former president wore after the shooting.
Billionaire Elon Musk joined Trump on stage, stressing the tight margins that will likely decide the election in battleground states like Pennsylvania and encouraging voter registration.
Trump “must win to preserve democracy in America,” said Musk, echoing the alarmist messaging he frequently pushes to his 200 million followers on his X platform.
