US President Donald Trump on Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the failed assassination attempt against him by attending the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Joined by family, friends, and close advisers, Trump commemorated the day while watching Chelsea secure a decisive victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). “It remains my firm conviction that God alone saved me that day for a righteous purpose: to restore our beloved Republic to greatness and to rescue our Nation from those who seek its ruin,” Trump said in a statement released Sunday night after he returned to Washington, reported AP.
He also hailed doctors, first responders and rallygoers who helped guide other attendees to safety, saying, “These men and women arrived at the rally grounds as ordinary Americans, but left as heroes.”
The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was subsequently shot to death by Secret Service agents. (AP Photo)
The assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania was, in many respects, the result of multiple security failures that enabled 20-year-old Michael Thomas Crooks to scale a nearby building and fire eight shots at the former and future president. One person in the crowd was killed, two others were injured, and a bullet grazed Trump’s ear before a Secret Service counter-sniper fatally shot Crooks.
The incident sent shockwaves through an already turbulent presidential race.
‘A great match’
Chelsea, of the English Premier League, dominated the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, racing out to a 3-0 lead in the first half. Two goals from Cole Palmer and one from João Pedro sealed the win and spoiled PSG’s bid for a fourth major title this season.
Trump joined the players on the field after the match to congratulate the tournament’s outstanding performers, present PSG players with their runner-up medals, and hand Chelsea their championship trophy.
Trump looks at the golden glove trophy next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final. (Pool Photo via AP)
“It was an upset today I guess,” Trump told reporters after flying back to Washington following Chelsea’s victory, as per AP. “But it was a great match.”
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Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were greeted with cheers as they arrived at the stadium just ahead of a pre-match performance by musical artists Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini. A brief appearance on the stadium’s mega-screen was met with a mix of cheers and boos.
The president waved to the crowd and pumped his fist as he and his entourage arrived at the stadium luxury box. There, they took in the match with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his wife, Leena Al Ashqar.
Other guests spotted in the president’s suite included Attorney General Pam Bondi, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, NFL great Tom Brady and media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
(With inputs from AP)
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The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was subsequently shot to death by Secret Service agents. (AP Photo)
Trump looks at the golden glove trophy next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final. (Pool Photo via AP)
