Sen. J.D. Vance on Saturday suggested at a Donald Trump rally that God saved the former president's life during an assassination attempt three months ago, but was hit with some criticism by those who say he's insulting the memory of the man who did die during that attack.
Vance, Trump's pick for vice presidential nominee, spoke at an event in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Right Side Broadcasting Network says the ex-president hopes "to hold a rally on the very same ground where he came within a quarter of an inch of losing his life less than three months ago." Vance's comments preceded those by Trump himself.
Vance's speech included one line that caught fire with critics.
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"Now I believe as sure as I'm standing here today, that what happened was a true miracle," Vance said Saturday. "And on that day, America felt the truth of scripture, 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me,' I truly believe that God saved President Trump's life that day."
Vance's claim that God saved Trump left many wondering about those who experienced serious injuries that day, including Corey Comperatore, the ex-firefighter who was fatally shot that day. Recently, Trump joked with donors about Comperatore's wife and her reaction to a check Trump handed her.
PatriotTakes, which says it is dedicated to "monitoring and exposing right-wing extremism and other threats to democracy," replied with, "Trump’s own followers died."
Democratic strategist Keith Edwards had a similar take, simply asking, "And the other people who died that day? What was god's opinion of them?"
Liberal influencer Spiro’s Ghost wrote, "
Mrs. Betty Bowers, an account known widely for its comedic takes on politics and religion, wrote, "Oh honey . . . If you *truly* believed that God was saving Trump's life for greater things, you two wouldn't be standing behind Plexiglass today."
Journalist Katherine Brodsky also chimed in:
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