Donald Trump told Elon Musk that “illegal immigration saved my life” as he recalled his close shave with death last month.
While delivering a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the former president was shot and wounded in his upper right ear by 20-year-old man Matthew Crooks.
In a much-anticipated X interview with Musk, the 78-year-old jokingly recalled a turn of the head that many said saved his life.
The Republican presidential nominee pointed out that he was glancing over to his presentation which was it was displaying a slide on illegal immigration.
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald TrumpReuters“It was that slide [illegal immigration]”, Elon Musk recalled.
Trump then quipped: “Illegal immigration saved my life”, much to the amusement of the business and tech mogul.
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The former president went on to laud the quick thinking of a Secret Service sniper in taking out the gunman.
“The doctors later told me that the ear is a place, that is a very bloody place, if you’re going to get hit,” Trump said.
“But in this case, it was probably the best alternative you could even think about.”
Trump then vowed to return to Butler in October, saying “the people are fantastic”.
Elon Musk spoke to Trump on X
ReutersOne person was killed and several others were injured when the shooter opened fire at the campaign event.
Later in the interview, Trump furiously hit out at Kamala Harris and her record on immigration.
He claimed his Democrat presidential rival had been a “border czar” and oversaw a huge rise in unauthorised crossings after being “put in charge” of the US-Mexico border.
The Democrat was not directly responsible for border policy, but worked with foreign countries to address poverty and security issues driving people into the US.
Donald Trump clutches face and ducks after shots were fired at himDONALD TRUMPTrump complained extensively about undocumented immigrants making their way into the US.
“Elon, what’s happened is unbelievable”, he said as 1.2 million X listeners tuned in.
“They’re coming from Congo, and 22 people came in from the Congo recently, and they’re murderers.”