Trump Campaign Crowdfunding for Rally Shooting Victims Exceeds $4.5 Million

Rachel Acenas
By Rachel Acenas
July 15, 2024US News
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Trump Campaign Crowdfunding for Rally Shooting Victims Exceeds $4.5 Million
Campaign signs and empty water bottles are seen on the ground of a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A crowdfunding campaign for victims of the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, reached more than $4.5 million late on Tuesday.

The GoFundMe site received more than 60,200 donations as of Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EST, and easily surpassed its initial one million dollar goal.

“President Donald Trump has authorized this account as a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed in today’s brutal and horrific assassination attempt,” Trump campaign national finance director Meredith O’Rourke wrote in a statement on the site.

“All donations will be directed to these proud Americans as they grieve and recover. May God bless and unite our nation.”

The crowdfunding site shows that Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, donated $10,000, while former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy committed $30,000 to the cause. Other high-profile figures, including Elon Musk, Dana White, and Kid Rock, each donated $50,000.

Died Protecting his Family

Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed during the attempted assassination of former President Trump during the rally on Saturday.

The father and former volunteer fire chief died while trying to protect his family.

“He truly loved his family,” his daughter, Allyson Comperatore, wrote in a social media post. “He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement that he was  a “hero” and “the very best of us,” adding that he “dove on his family to protect them.”

Pennsylvania State Police also identified two other men shot and injured during the shooting attack who were initially listed as being in critical condition.

David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, a 57-year-old Marine veteran, was listed as being in a stable condition a day after the shooting.

Mr. Dutch was shot in the liver and chest, according to District 8 Vice Commandant Matt Popovich with the Marine Corp League’s (MCL) Department of Pennsylvania.

Police identified the other victim as 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, who was also listed in stable condition a day after being shot.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) said on an X post that his nephew attended the rally and suffered minor injuries.

“My family was sitting in the front, near where the President was speaking. They heard shots ringing out — my nephew then realized he had blood on his neck and something had grazed and cut his neck,” he wrote.

It remains unclear how many other rally spectators were treated for minor injuries.

“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed,” former President Trump wrote in a statement on Truth Social.

The Trump-authorized crowdfunding site drew praise from donors who commented on putting politics aside and highlighting the importance of community and compassion during a time of tragedy.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) early Sunday identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was shot and killed by a rooftop police sniper. The agency is leading the investigation into the attempted assassination and urging witnesses to turn in photos or videos that may help its probe at FBI.gov/butler.