FLINT, Mich. − For former President Donald Trump and his supporters, the constant worry for the safety of their candidate has become a new normal.

“Being president is a risky job, that’s for sure,” he quipped to a cheering audience at a bustling 6,000-seat venue in Flint, Michigan, adding, “It’s a bit hazardous, and we must ensure his safety.”

The crowd, filled with both excitement and concern, welcomed Trump back to the campaign trail following the arrest of a suspected gunman who had created a sniper position near his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“He has to keep engaging with the public; he won’t be stopped, that’s just his nature,” stated Doug Altman, a 76-year-old campaign supporter. “I genuinely fear for my president’s safety, and we need to make sure he gets through these next 50 days and into office.”

Trump was in his usual spirited form after experiencing two assassination attempts within a two-month span, telling the lively audience that pursuing the presidency is more perilous than activities like race car driving or bull riding.

This gathering, although labeled a town hall, marked the 78-year-old’s first public appearance since Secret Service agents intervened against a gunman hiding near his golf course, and fortunately, he was unharmed.

With his competition, Vice President Kamala Harris, also in a tight race in both national and state polls, including Michigan, Trump emphasized that these violent attempts will be a central focus of his ongoing campaign, arguing they demonstrate he possesses the strength needed for the role.

“You know, only significant presidents get shot at,” he remarked humorously.

Before answering questions from the attendees, Trump elaborated on his administration’s achievements regarding the economy, energy, tariffs, Afghanistan, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine situation.

Responding to lenient questions posed by moderator, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with three audience members, Trump reiterated familiar themes. He criticized President Joe Biden’s administration, focusing on issues like the economy, rising inflation, and illegal immigration.

At Sanders’ encouragement, Trump presented a “Day One” plan involving border security enhancement and increased energy initiatives. He refrained from referencing his previously stated desire to act as a “dictator” from day one of a new presidency.

Trump ridiculed his opponent’s policies while presenting his own, humorously claiming that nuclear threats surpass climate change in terms of danger, asserting that climate change could eventually provide Michigan with “more beachfront property.”

The ex-president shed light on the thwarted attack from the previous Sunday and detailed the Secret Service’s decisive actions, sharing the story of a woman who alerted authorities after witnessing the suspect, Ryan Routh, 58, fleeing the scene, which led to his arrest.

“She recognized something was off with that guy. Women are often more perceptive than men,” he joked, eliciting laughter from the audience.

‘We need to support him through the next 50 days’

In a blue-collar city located 70 miles north of Detroit, Trump was embraced by enthusiastic supporters.

Ana and Chad Watanabe made a spontaneous decision to fly from Salt Lake City, Utah to Flint just as reports of the attempted assassination surfaced. This news motivated them even more to attend the rally.

“We wish to back a party and a leader who embraces our faith in God,” 51-year-old Ana told YSL News. “We want to convey our support; our country needs him desperately.”

The mother of eight, who lost her job as a pilot recruiter for a major airline, expressed hope that reinstating Trump to the White House will revitalize the job market.

“For Polynesian cultures, ohana represents our core values; family means everything to us,” Watanabe stated. “President Trump is committed to ensuring the well-being of our families and our nation as a whole.”

Campaign volunteer Altman, 76, wearing a National Rifle Association hat, stated that it was only a matter of time before Routh would gain access to an assault weapon.

“Regardless of the measures taken regarding gun control, those with bad intentions will still acquire firearms,” he remarked. “It’s simply unavoidable.”

According to prosecutors, Routh, the individual accused of the shooting on Sunday, had camped out at the edge of the golf course for twelve hours before being noticed by Secret Service agents when they spotted the end of his rifle peeking out from a bush.

“It truly makes me feel sick,” shared rallygoer James Schultz, 58, who served in Afghanistan working in surveillance. He returned to the U.S. just four days prior to the withdrawal in 2021 that resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members.

Following these two incidents and a disrupted Iranian scheme involving Trump, Schultz mentioned that he would remain “vigilant” throughout the campaign. He wondered if law enforcement had deployed drones and conducted a sweep of the golf course’s perimeter before Trump arrived.

“There seems to be a total breakdown at every level, in my opinion, regarding both the second and the first incidents,” he expressed.

— Sam Woodward ,  follow him on X @woodyreports, and on Threads @samjowoody.