10 photos show snipers, drones and parachuter at Donald Trump’s Butler rally (original) (raw)

10 photos show snipers, drones and parachuters dropping in at Trump's tightly secured Butler rally

A parachuter dropped in carrying an American flag on the Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, where the former president was expected to return to the site of his attempted assassination

Lots of fanfare riled up the crowd of thousands eagerly awaiting Donald Trump's speech at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening — with a parachuting man wowing the audience as he descended from the sky with an American flag trailing behind him kicking off the MAGA festivities.

There were loads of other sights to behold at the Butler Farm Show, Inc., as well before Trump was scheduled to take the mainstage at 5 p.m. — introduced by his running mate, junior Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who got on stage to cheers of "JD" before delivering a rousing speech about his running mate as he also remembered the events of July 13, which transpired on the same grounds on which he stood.

Many attendees came dressed in handmade MAGA garb, from custom-printed suits featuring images of Trump, especially the one of him from the fateful July 13 rally in Butler that saw him shot in the ear, to the man who comes to every rally dressed in a suit that looks as though it's made out of bricks — signifying the border wall Trump promised and failed to build as he campaigned and then successfully won the presidency in 2016.

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Paratrooper glides down into Trump rally in Butler

Inside, many vendors were selling MAGA merch, which several attendees proudly donned. Others carried handmade signs supporting MAGA.

The energy was high at the venue as throngs of MAGA supporters watched the opening speakers tell their stories. One of them was a paramedic who was present on July 13 and attempted to help slain firefighter Corey Comperatore after he was shot in the head by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20.

In one solemn corner of the venue, an entire section of bleachers was designated to Comperatore, featuring his firefighting jacket and helmet as well as numerous flower arrangements that were placed around it in honor of him. The entire event was designed to honor him, it was reported, with sources telling multiple publications that Trump's usual speech would be altered to tailor more to Comperatore and remembering him.

In one touching performance, an artist painted a likeness of Comperatore, which caused his sisters to tear up as they watched. Others honored Comperatore with their speeches, too, including some law enforcement personnel.

Overhead, several drones circled, operated by the Secret Service and other federal agencies as they attempt to prevent another shooting like that of July 13. Heightened security measures were in place around the event, including measures that blocked lines of sight into the venue.

Other images of snipers and men in camouflage uniforms were stationed on nearby roofs wielding large guns. Large tractor-trailers were positioned in front of the building from which shots were fired on July 13. Bleacher sets were also arranged mostly on the sides rather than in front of and behind the stage.