Trump honors Corey Comperatore in first trip back to Pennsylvania

Former President Donald Trump returned to the Keystone State on Wednesday for the first time since the shooting at his rally on July 13, honoring fallen “hero” Corey Comperatore, who died defending his family from the gunman’s bullets.

“Most of all, we lift the memory, our memory, to the brave firefighter who was so cruelly taken from us,” Trump memorialized. “A very brave guy. Loved by his family and his friends. He was really loved.”

Comperatore, the only civilian fatality at the rally in Butler where 20-year-old Pennsylvania native Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on the 2024 presidential candidate, has been lauded for his heroic and masculine self-sacrifice. Previously, Trump honored Comperatore at the 2024 Republican National Convention, displaying the firefighter’s uniform to the crowd and offering a moment of silence.

“In his last act on this earth, Corey threw himself over his wife and daughters and died shielding them from the bullets,” Trump reminded the crowd at his rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday. “Corey is a hero to all of us.”

“We will carry Corey’s spirit of love and devotion and patriotism for all time,” the president continued, “and we will never forget Corey or his beautiful family.”

To date, a GoFundMe page for Comperatore and the other two victims at the event, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, both of whom survived, has raised over $6.5 million. Additionally, the families experienced an outpouring of prayers and encouragement.

“We are so sorry for your loss,” posted one user. “What a great man Corey was.”

“An extraordinary hero died while protecting his precious family! I pray to our Lord Jesus Christ for strength and peace to grace this family,” posted another donor. “We will NEVER forget you Corey, nor will we forget the other two innocent victims who suffered life changing trauma at this confusing and dreadful event! Our country is at a critical juncture, proven by the evil acts allowed to occur at the Pennsylvania Trump Rally. No matter political affiliation, we must ALL agree that this can never happen again. As it’s been said, a country divided will fall! Let’s stand together, if for just this one moment!”

Corey Comperatore truly died a hero’s death and deserves remembrance for it. May his life and legacy inspire us to dedicate ourselves to serving others and fighting for others’ freedom.