Former President Donald Trump returned to Pennsylvania on Wednesday for a rally at the state Farm Show complex in Harrisburg, less than three weeks after an assassination attempt on his life at a rally in Butler County. The rally was held indoors at the New Holland arena, which has tiered seating for more than 7,300 people and about 28,000 square feet of space. This marked Trump's fourth appearance at the complex, formally known as the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center.
The rally began with Trump addressing the assassination attempt and holding a moment of silence for firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the Butler rally. "As you know, this is my first return to Pennsylvania since our rally in Butler,” Trump said, adding he planned to go back to Butler. “By all accounts, I should not be with you today. I shouldn’t be with you, but I am. I want to thank all of the people of Pennsylvania for their extraordinary love and support. It is incredible.”
Trump's rally comes as recent polling shows a close race between likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Trump. The rally was attended by thousands of Trump supporters, some of whom had been waiting in line for hours in the heat.
Trump's running mate, U.S. Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, was not present at the rally. However, U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick, who was also at the Butler rally, joined Trump in Harrisburg. McCormick is seeking to unseat U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.).