On the one-year anniversary of the near-assassination of former President Donald Trump, journalist Selena Zito shared her firsthand experiences from that harrowing day. Zito was present at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was nearly shot. She spoke to him moments before he took the stage and has since reflected on how the incident has changed him.
In a recent appearance on The Daily Wire’s Morning Wire podcast, Zito discussed her seven conversations with Trump in the days following the assassination attempt. She noted a significant shift in his perspective. “There was definitely a change,” she remarked. “This is a man who understands that he has purpose, and he understands that God was there in that moment.”
Zito emphasized that while Trump may not become someone who attends church every Sunday, she believes that thoughts of God are now ever-present in his mind. She recounted how Trump expressed confusion about why he turned his head at the crucial moment, attributing his survival to divine intervention. “I have no explanation as to why I turned my head… That can only be the hand of God,” he told her.
Zito vividly recalled the moment the shots rang out. She was in the “buffer” area, a space typically reserved for Secret Service agents and journalists, when she witnessed Trump take the stage. He surprised her by using a chart to illustrate immigration numbers and, for the first time, turned his neck away from the audience. Just as he was shot in the ear, Zito heard four gunshots, instantly recognizing them as gunfire.
“I knew instantly he was shot,” Zito said. “I saw him grab his ear and I see this blood streak across his face.” Despite the chaos, she remained focused on documenting the event, feeling a sense of purpose in the moment. A campaign press advance man, Michel Picard, quickly tackled her to the ground, ensuring her safety until the situation was under control.
Zito, who has known Trump for years, has closely followed his political journey, particularly his appeal to working-class voters. She noted that while many journalists focused on his controversial comments, she recognized his connection with those who felt overlooked. “I heard him talk about the dignity of work, and how communities felt left behind,” she said.
Reflecting on her interactions with Trump, Zito noted a mutual respect that developed over time. She pointed out that voters take Trump seriously but do not always interpret his words literally, a contrast to how the media often portrays him.
Zito recently published a book titled “Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America’s Heartland.” The book delves into her experiences and insights from that pivotal day and the broader implications for American politics.
As Trump continues to move forward, Zito believes that his near-death experience has instilled a sense of purpose that was previously lacking. She sees a man determined to make a difference, both for himself and for the country.