Former President Donald Trump left his New Jersey golf club under heavy security Sunday afternoon – as he headed to the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin less than 24 hours after being injured in an assassination attempt.
Trump’s motorcade was spotted leaving the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster en route to Newark Liberty International Airport shortly after 4 p.m., according to ABC7’s Kemberly Richardson.
Throughout the day on Sunday, a rotating group of 10 to 50 devoted Trump fans wielding campaign flags gathered down the street from the golf club to offer him their support.
Local resident Louis Damore, 61, told The Post that he was using his one day off from running his air conditioning business to show his support for the Republican frontrunner.
“I’m here to support my superhero. Donald Trump is my superhero,” Damore gushed.
Everything we know about Trump assassination attempt
- Former President Donald Trump was targeted by a shooter during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania
- Trump’s face was grazed by a bullet during the shooting
- The gunman and one bystander have been killed
- President Biden addressed the nation and referred to the shooting as sick, saying he “tried to get ahold of Donald”
- Exclusive: First photos of Thomas Matthew Crooks emerge after assassination attempt
- Donald Trump urges the nation to not let ‘evil win’ and ‘fear not’ after shooting
- World leaders condemn ‘political violence’ at Trump rally: ‘Can’t take anything for granted’
Keep up to date on updates with The Post’s live blog on the assassination attempt on Trump
“How this could happen is beyond belief,” he added, referring to the chaotic scene that erupted when a gunman opened fire at Trump’s rally in Butler, Penn., grazing the former president’s ear and killing one attendee.
“We should have answers by tomorrow morning as to why this guy was up on the roof,” Damore said of the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
The 20-year-old was shot dead by the Secret Service on the roof of a manufacturing plant 130 yards from the rally site. He was found with an AR-style rifle, and explosives were later located in his car.
Damore said that he believed Trump’s near-miss was an act of divine intervention.
“My take, it was God last night that did this. 100%. The guy should be dead,” he told The Post.
“And what would we be talking about right now, God forbid, if that did happen? Civil war? I believe so,” he continued, adding that he believes the US is “losing civilization” due to political divides.
“So what I took out of this is God was at the podium last night with Mr. Trump. Saved his life. If he [had not] turned his head, his head would have been somewhere else okay?” Damore insisted.
Earlier on Sunday, a senior aide for Trump’s campaign confirmed that the real estate mogul turned to reference the jumbotron just as Crooks opened fire.
At least one expert has gone on the record saying that the split-second move likely saved Trump’s life.
Speaking from the side of the road, Damore lamented that there were not more people showing their support for Trump after Saturday night’s ordeal.
Follow The Post’s latest stories on the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump:
- Trump says he ‘felt the bullet ripping through my skin’ in first statement since assassination attempt
- Donald Trump urges the nation to not let ‘evil win’ and ‘fear not’ after shooting
- Gunman behind attempted assassination on Trump had head blown off by Secret Service, sources say; rally-goer killed
- Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was loner ‘relentlessly’ bullied in high school: classmate
- How Trump’s split-second head turn may have saved his life from assassin’s bullet
- Ex-volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore ID’d as Trump sniper victim, shielded his daughter from assassin’s bullets
- Search for Trump shooter’s motive delayed by explosives found in home and car: sources
Keep up to date on updates with the Post’s live blog on the assassination attempt on Trump
“I can’t believe there ain’t more people out here supporting this guy,” he said.
“I know it’s hot out today, but they’re driving by, they’re blowing their horns and support. But what this man is doing for my family, my grandchildren, this is the least I can do.”
The passersby have been mostly friendly, Damore said of the drivers passing through the intersection.
“I saw a handful of middle fingers,” he noted.
Trump arrived at the golf club early Sunday morning, after his private plane touched down in Newark.
Shortly after 2 p.m., the former president announced that he would leave for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee at 3:30.
“Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin…by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” he shared on Truth Social.
President Joe Biden – who faced off with Trump during a disastrous debate last month – urged the public not to make “assumptions” about the motivation behind the assassination attempt during a media conference Sunday afternoon.
Biden will also deliver a rare Oval Office address at 8 p.m..