Trump rallies support after assassination attempt in Michigan: "I took a bullet for democracy"

– I don’t want to know anything about it. But what they do is misinformation and disinformation, and they keep saying he’s a threat to democracy – declared Donald Trump during the first rally organized after the assassination attempt on his life. – I’m saying, ‘What the hell did I do for democracy? Last week, I took a bullet for democracy, – said the 78-year-old politician in Michigan.

While Joe Biden ignores calls to withdraw from the race for the presidency of the USA, Donald Trump, following recent dramatic events, is strengthening his position. On Saturday, 20 July, at 01:00 GMT, the official Republican candidate appeared at the first rally held after the assassination attempt on his life.

This time, the meeting with voters was organized in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Michigan is one of the states that is still undecided on whom to vote for. Here is what the Michigan voters heard from Trump.

I stand before you only by the grace of almighty God. I shouldn’t be here. Maybe JD or somebody else would be here, but I shouldn’t be here right now – declared the 78-year-old Republican candidate. And he added: –They keep saying [I’m] a threat to democracy. I’m saying: what the hell did I do for democracy? Last week, I took a bullet for democracy.

The politician didn't mince words regarding his political opponents. He emphasised that "they have a lot of problems" and "they don't know who their candidate is".

Let's recap: it's been a week since the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life. The shooter – 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crocks, wounded Trump in the right ear. According to the longtime doctor of the politician, the bullet missed his head by just under six millimetres.

Reuters reports that during the rally in Grand Rapids, security measures were tightened, and a significant number of police and special services were present.

Meanwhile, "The Washington Post" reports that Donald Trump’s security personnel had repeatedly requested more staff and equipment for events involving Trump even before the assassination attempt. However, Secret Service officials denied these requests, citing staffing shortages and limited resources.