USA Trump swears supporters to victory at the site of the assassination attempt

US presidential candidate Donald Trump has returned to the scene of the attack in the state of Pennsylvania to campaign almost three months after the assassination attempt on him.

At a large rally in Butler, the Republican swore his supporters to victory in the presidential election on November 5. The 78-year-old also received support from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who used drastic words to urge the crowd to vote for Trump.

In mid-July, a gunman shot at the former president from a nearby rooftop at a rally in Butler. One visitor died and two others were injured. Trump was injured by a bullet to his right ear. The perpetrator was killed by security forces. Thousands of people gathered at the rally on Saturday evening (local time), more than at the event in July.

Trump wants to move back into the White House after the election in a month's time. A neck-and-neck race is emerging between him and his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.

Vance: God saved Trump's life

The Republican US vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance reviewed the assassination attempt as Trump's opening speaker and spoke of a "true miracle" that nothing worse happened to Trump. "I am firmly convinced that God saved President Trump's life that day," said the 40-year-old senator.

Vance referred to God several times in his speech. "Right here, almost three months ago, we thought President Trump was going to lose his life. But God still has a plan for him - just as he still has a plan for the United States of America."

The assassin tried to fill people's hearts with fear, he said. "But today we stand here to make it clear: We will not be intimidated. We will not be stopped. We will not be silenced. We will make America great again - and we will do it together."

Trump: Are stronger than ever before

Trump echoed this narrative in his speech. "Our movement (...) is stronger, prouder, more united, more determined and closer to victory than ever before," he said.

By "the providence of fate and the grace of God", the shooter had missed his target. "He could not stop our movement, break our spirit, or shake our steely resolve to save America from the evils of poverty, hatred and destruction."

Trump also held a minute's silence for the visitor who lost his life in the attack in July. The man had thrown himself over his wife and daughters to protect their lives, Trump said.

Musk provides Trump with campaign support

During his speech, Trump called tech billionaire Elon Musk to the stage. He urged the crowd to vote for Trump. This election will be "no ordinary election", said Musk. Harris and the Democrats wanted to take away many of people's rights, such as the right to free speech, the right to bear arms and even the right to vote. Trump must win "to preserve the Constitution. He must win to preserve democracy in America."

If Trump is not elected, this will be the last election, Musk predicted, without elaborating. He is convinced that this is "the most important election of our lifetime".

Musk, who often lends credence to conspiracy theories, has long supported Trump. The Tesla boss and owner of Platform X also regularly campaigns against Harris, against whom Trump is running in the election. Trump recently hinted that Musk could be put at the head of a committee to review US finances if he wins the election. Musk should cut government spending, Trump said.

SDA