Trump displays life-saving illegal immigration chart, says never examined it

“Without that chart, I would not be here today,” former President Donald Trump said in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC). He described how a chart on illegal immigration played a crucial role in saving his life during an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13. The chart, initially shown to Trump by US Senator Ron Johnson on a plane ride, was later displayed as part of Trump’s speech.

The chart, titled ‘Illegal Immigration into the US’, was displayed on a large screen behind him during his speech at the rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump said that if it weren’t for the chart, he wouldn’t have survived the gunman’s bullet that grazed his right ear.

“I was discussing the great job my administration did on immigration at the southern border,” Trump explained.

“Behind me, and to the right, was a large screen showing a chart of border crossings under my leadership. The numbers were so impressive that I started to turn to my right to see it more clearly. As I was about to adjust my position further, I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt a sharp pain in my right ear. I realised it must have been a bullet,” he said.

Later in his speech at the Republican National Convention, Trump displayed the chart on the screen behind him while discussing immigration.

“I never really got a chance to examine that chart the last time I used it,” Trump remarked, reported USA Today.

He mentioned that although he couldn’t see the chart during the rally on Saturday, he is pleased to see it now.

Trump has promised to crack down on illegal immigration, proposing measures such as detention camps and increased deportations, which have garnered significant support from Republican voters.

“Look at the arrow at the bottom — it’s the lowest level indicated by the heavy red arrow. That represents the fewest illegal immigrants entering our country,” Trump explained. “This is the chart that saved my life. It really did.”

Trump added that if he hadn’t moved his head at the last moment, the bullet would have struck him directly.

“The amazing thing is that if I had not moved my head just then, the bullet would have hit its mark,” he said.

The alleged attacker, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by law enforcement officials shortly after opening fire.

The shooting, intended for Trump, resulted in the death of former fire chief Corey Comperatore and critically injured two other spectators, who are now recovering.

CHART LOCATION AND A LAST-MINUTE HEAD TILT SAVED TRUMP

The chart, initially shown to Trump by US Senator Ron Johnson on a plane ride to a rally in Green Bay, was later modified by Trump’s team and used at the Pennsylvania rally.

Trump explained that the chart’s location and his last-minute head tilt likely saved his life.

Trump praised the chart for showing the lowest levels of illegal immigration during his presidency.

During his speech, the former president also promised to close the southern border and finish the wall, which he specified “most of which I’ve already built,” reported USA Today.

Under Trump’s administration, 458 miles of barriers were added to the US-Mexico border.

However, the US-Mexico border, an international border, spans 1,954 miles (3,145 km), leaving significant areas without barriers, reported USA Today.

Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention also expressed gratitude for the support he received following the incident and honoured the memory of those affected.

The assassination attempt has refocused attention on immigration policy, a central issue in Trump’s presidential campaign.