TRUMP rally-goers spontaneously pray the Our Father together after he survived an assassination attempt in exclusive footage obtained by The U.S. Sun.
The extraordinary moment came after the former President, 78, was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday.
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Stunned attendees in the bleachers directly behind the stage Trump was speaking from spontaneously recited the Lord’s Prayer in the moments after a bullet grazed his ear.
Retired stockbroker Mike Costanzo, 77, was among those who witnessed the emotional scene.
Hailing from the same Bethel Park suburb of Pittsburgh as would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, Mike was sitting just 15 feet behind Trump when he was shot.
He can be seen wearing a red MAGA hat, pumping his fists, and shouting “My man” in the now legendary images of Trump being escorted off the stage after miraculously escaping with his life.
Mike told The U.S. Sun: “When all the bullets started flying, no one was running or scattering or jumping over other people.
“In fact, they broke out in prayer. I believe it’s because people love him.
“I’m still thinking I’m not sure I saw what I saw. “Was that us? I’m still processing it.”
Trump fan Mike attended the rally with his wife Rosemary, also 77, nieces Jodine Downey and Jeanine Wiggins, Jeanine’s husband Chuck, and their friend Lori Bliss.
The group were sitting directly under the huge US flag that could be seen in the images of Trump pumping his fist to the crowd.
Former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed in the attack while James Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57, were seriously injured.
Gunman Crooks, 20, was also killed by a counter sniper after he opened fire from a rooftop about 400ft away from Trump.
Former TV news anchor Jodine said: “We’re lucky to be here because we were right in the line of fire.
“We were thrilled to be in those seats and how close we were to the stage.
“We were so excited. Little did we know what danger we would be in a short time later.
“As soon as President Trump got up everyone started to cheer and our whole section started praying the Our Father.
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“It was so moving and I think that was so telling of how people feel not only about him but humanity.
“It was just a beautiful moment.”
The Our Father or Lord’s Prayer is a central Christian prayer which dates back to the very beginning of the religion.
According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ himself taught it to his followers during his Sermon on the Mount.
As he accepted his party’s nominations Trump told the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday that he had survived the attempt on his life “by the grace of almighty God”.
He also expressed his wonder at the crowd remaining calm despite coming under fire.
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The sentiment is echoed by the supporters who were there in the line of fire that day, who told The U.S. Sun they were convinced Trump was dead until he got to his feet and urged them to “Fight, fight, fight”.
Mike said: “When the shooting started I jumped on my wife to protect her as much as I could but then I’m looking up and I see my president with the shoe off and his head messed up.
“I thought he’d got a headshot and was dead.
“Then he rises and comes up with that fist and I just wanted to hug him.
“‘My man, my man,’ was all I could think of saying.
“I just wanted to let him know that I love him.
“I would do anything for this guy.
“I just love him, I love his family and everything he stands for.”
Mike explained that the crowds even remained calm when it took them an hour and a half to get out of the car park.
His wife Rosemary added: “The Trumpsters have been described as MAGA deplorables but those people should be at a rally.
“They wouldn’t believe how friendly, hopeful, polite and kind everyone is.
“It’s like a rock concert without drugs.”
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks?
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was identified as the would-be assassin who tried to kill Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, during a campaign rally in Butler Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Who is Thomas Matthew Crooks?
- Thomas Matthew Crooks left few clues about his identity, and investigators said he did not have a social media presence.
- What is known is Crooks was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a small suburb about 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh.
- He lived with his parents, Mary Elizabeth Crooks and Matthew Brian Crooks.
- The Crooks have been licensed professional counselors since 2002, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State Licensing System Verification service.
- Thomas Matthew Crooks attended and graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
- In May 2024, Crooks graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County with an associate degree in engineering science, the school revealed.
- Crooks was previously employed as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
- He was a registered Republican but made a small $15 donation to a progressive political group in January 2021.
- Crooks did not have a criminal history in Pennsylvania.
How did Thomas Crooks obtain the rifle used in the shooting?
- Federal investigators believe the AR-15-style rifle Thomas Crooks used in the shooting on July 13 was legally purchased and registered to his father.
- Matthew Brian Crooks purchased the weapon at least six months before the Trump rally shooting, according to AP News.
- It’s unknown how the younger Crooks took possession of the firearm.
- The Crooks family is cooperating with federal investigators.
- Thomas Crooks also had a membership at the local shooting club, the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, for at least a year, according to BBC.
What were Thomas Matthew Crooks’ final moments?
- On July 12, federal investigators learned Thomas Crooks visited the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club.
- On July 13, the day of the Trump rally in Butler, Crooks went to a Home Depot and purchased a five-foot ladder that investigators believe he used to scale a rooftop about 430 feet outside the Secret Service’s perimeter.
- That same day, investigators said Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition at a gun store and drove his Hyundai Sonata an hour north to Butler.
- Crooks fired at least eight shots at Donald Trump and rally-goers at 6:11 pm, less than 10 minutes after the presidential candidate took the stage.
- A Secret Service counter-sniper positioned near the stage where Trump was delivering his remarks returned fire within seconds, killing Crooks.
What was his motive behind the shooting?
- The FBI is still working on determining a motive behind the shooting.
- The federal agency is viewing the act as domestic terrorism.
- Crooks is believed to have acted alone.
- Federal officials have been able to gain access to Crooks’ cell phone, but it has yielded no clues about a motive, according to the New York Post.
- Crooks’ cell phone and laptop have been sent to the FBI’s lab in Quantico, Virginia, for further analysis.
