The widow of Corey Comperatore, the man tragically killed during an attempt to assassinate Donald Trump, has opened up about her phone call with the former president.
Donald Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet. Credit: Anadolu / Getty
Over the weekend, the nation was left in shock when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, targeting the 78-year-old Republican candidate.
Trump narrowly avoided serious injury, sustaining only an ear wound. The attack, however, left one rally-goer dead and two others seriously injured.
Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer fire chief from Sarver, Pennsylvania, lost his life during the shooting. His family says he sacrificed himself to protect them.
Corey's daughter, Allyson, shared an emotional tribute on social media, detailing her father's heroic actions. "He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us. And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you," she wrote.
Helen Comperatore, Corey's widow, has revealed that the former president called her on Tuesday to offer his condolences.
An attempt on Trump's life took place in Pennsylvania. Credit: Trump Campaign Office/Handout/Anadolu/Getty
“He was very kind and said he would continue to call me in the days and weeks ahead,” Helen Comperatore shared on her private Facebook page, per the New York Post.
“I told him the same thing I told everyone else. He left this world a hero and God welcomed him in. He did not die in vain that day,” she wrote of her husband, according to a screenshot of the post.
Trump’s call comes after Helen declined to take a call from President Biden following her husband’s death.
"I didn’t talk to Biden," Helen stated from her Pennsylvania home on Monday, per the New York Post.
"I didn’t want to talk to him. My husband was a devout Republican, and he would not have wanted me to talk to him."
“I don’t have any ill will towards Joe Biden. I’m not one of those people that gets involved in politics. I support Trump. That’s who I’m voting for, but I don’t have ill will towards Biden,” Helen said.
“He didn’t do anything bad to my husband. A 20-year-old despicable kid did.”
Helen described the rally as an anticipated “exciting day” for the family to support Trump. As the shots erupted, Comperatore instinctively shouted “Get down”.
President Joe Biden addresses the attempt on Trump's life. Credit: Kevin Dietsch / Getty
These have been reported as his final words, as he heroically shielded his family with his body.
Speaking from the White House on Sunday, President Joe Biden extended his condolences to the Comperatore family.
"He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired, and he lost his life. God love him," Biden said.