U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the U.S. economy and affordability at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
President Donald Trump suggested to MAGA fans on Tuesday night that a Pennsylvania Republican is only alive today because he walks slow.
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) was at Trump’s Butler, Pennsylvania, rally last year that ended with an assassination attempt. He has described himself as a witness who was seated close to the stage when gunshots rang out.
Trump, who was grazed in the ear at the rally, brought up the assassination attempt during his first rally in months in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania.
"I called David. I said, 'David! Come on up! He was working like hell," Trump said, calling McCormick's race "tough."
"Right at the beginning of the speech, I said, 'David, come on up!'" Trump said. "This was before the thing happened. And uh, then I look up and say, 'You know what, David? Just stay there. I'll get you later."
The president then joked the senator is "lucky."
"You're so lucky, David. You're so lucky. You don't know. I could've had a little differently shaped ear if it weren't for you," he said.
The reason Trump told McCormick to wait? He took issue with the then-candidate's gait.
"He was walking a little bit slowly. I didn't want to take the time," said Trump, to laughs. "Oh boy, that was a good day for you."
Watch the clip below or at this link around the 7:15 p.m. ET mark.