Former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed in an interview with the New York Post on Sunday, July 14, 2025 that he had survived an assassination attempt, describing the ordeal as a “very surreal experience.”
“I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” Trump stated during the interview aboard his plane en route to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to be confirmed as the party’s presidential candidate.
The dramatic incident occurred on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman opened fire, hitting Trump and causing chaos. Trump recounted, “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
Despite the severity of the attack, Trump was seen walking unaided from his plane, with a white bandage covering his right ear, as reported by the New York Post. “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” Trump later posted on his Truth Social network, comments likely to intensify the already high political tensions in the U.S.
The attack, which also resulted in the death of a spectator and critical injuries to two others, has sent shockwaves around the world. Leaders from countries including Britain, Israel, and China expressed their outrage. The FBI confirmed the incident as “an assassination attempt against our former president, Donald Trump,” and noted that the gunman, reportedly a registered Republican, appeared to be acting alone.
Authorities have stated they responded to multiple reports of suspicious activity prior to the shooting. Trump spent the night in New Jersey following the incident, according to the New York Times. The attack has undoubtedly supercharged political tensions ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
