In her new book, “Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America’s Heartland,” Salena Zito captures a defining moment in American history, reflecting on her experience as a reporter close to President Trump during an attempted assassination on July 13, 2024. Zito recounts the unexpected camaraderie she shared with Trump, highlighting their mutual affection for family as she details their interaction just before the gunfire erupted. Within moments of a patriotic performance by Lee Greenwood, gunshots rang out, altering the course of the day and pushing Zito into a firsthand account of chaos mixed with an obligation to document the event.
As the shots rang out, Zito’s initial thought was of panic and concern for Trump. She describes the surreal atmosphere, where confusion and dread hung in the air, particularly for her daughter, who initially questioned the sounds as fireworks. The chaotic moments that followed the shots were characterized by a flurry of action. Zito recalls Trump flinching, grabbing his ear as he was injured, and the surge of Secret Service agents forming a protective barrier around him. It was a moment fraught with tension, transitioning quickly from a celebratory event to a scene of possible tragedy.
Caught on the ground amidst the chaos, Zito vividly expresses the fear and confusion that enveloped her and her family. Her son-in-law tackled her daughter to protect her, while Zito was forcibly held down by a press advance man as gunfire continued. This protective gesture starkly illustrated the instinctive need for safety amid the violence. In her role as an eyewitness, Zito was paralyzed by the gravity of the situation while simultaneously processing the urgency to document what was happening. The contrasting feelings of fear, duty, and surrealism enveloped her as the scene unfolded just feet away.
With time appearing to freeze as the events spiraled, Zito paints a haunting portrait of a crowd that seemed frozen between shock and fervor. The eerie calmness among the audience, broken only by a woman’s primal scream, alongside the conversations of Secret Service agents, depicted the chaos enveloping the scene. The agents’ determination to protect Trump was palpable, creating a backdrop of urgency against a tension-filled silence. Zito details how the agents strategized their movements, maintaining a vigilant presence around Trump as they navigated a precarious situation that demanded quick and decisive action.
When the immediate threat subsided, Zito observed Trump rallying the crowd, his resilience shining through despite his injury. His call to the audience with a spirited chant of “USA!” underscored the moment’s gravity, transforming a scene of terror into one of defiance and determination. Beyond the fear, there was an unmistakable surge of patriotic energy as he embraced the crowd’s cheers. This moment highlighted how Trump managed to channel a traumatic experience into a call for unity and resilience, reflecting a larger narrative of American spirit amid adversity.
As Zito reflected post-incident, the surreal twist of fate left her in disbelief. She acknowledged the chaotic nature of the day, which had initially been focused on logistics and timing. This experience underscored not only the unpredictability of life but also the intertwining of personal and national narratives. The bond shared with her family in that moment, along with her role as a chronicler of history, encapsulated the complexity of emotions faced by those who witnessed such a pivotal event unfold. Ultimately, “Butler” serves as a powerful testimony to the fragility of safety and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of danger.
