A determined Donald Trump has broken his silence and issued a defiant five-word statement just hours after a lone gunman almost claimed his life.
The unbowed former President narrowly escaped death on Saturday after a shooter opened fire at a Republican rally in Pennsylvania.
Mr Trump suffered a bloody injury to his ear as bullets peppered the stage as he spoke to supporters.
As secret service agents swarmed around the 78-year-old, Mr Trump was photographed defiantly clenching his fist into the air showing remarkable composure having just survived an attempt on his life.
And now speaking to the New York Post, Mr Trump said: “I’m supposed to be dead.”
He said that medics called his escape from death miraculous, adding: “The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this. He called it a miracle.
The attacker, who the FBI have named 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed during the assassination attempt.
Mr Trump told the New York Post his security team “took him out” with a shot “right between the eyes”, adding that the armed response team did “a fantastic job”.
Speaking about the photographs of himself after the shooting, Mr Trump continued: “A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen. They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture.”
A motive has not yet been identified for the attack, but authorities are treating the shooting as an assassination attempt. It was the most serious attempt to assassinate a US president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
Two other male spectators at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, were critically injured.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the attack on the former US president and spoke to him on Sunday afternoon.
Writing on Truth Social earlier on Sunday, Mr Trump thanked well-wishers and said: “It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening”.
“We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness.”
He added: “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families.
“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win.
“I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin. DJT”
His wife, former US first lady Melania Trump said: “When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron’s (the couple’s son) life, were on the brink of devastating change.”
