Trump mourns Butler rally survivor Jim Copenhaver as an American patriot

Trump pays tribute to Jim Copenhaver, wounded at the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania rally shooting, who has died at 76, and offers prayers to his wife Marianne and family.

First Published: September 24, 2026, 7:16 PM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump paid tribute to Jim Copenhaver, a military veteran wounded in the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania rally shooting, calling him a true American patriot after his death.

Trump praised Copenhaver’s bravery and offered prayers to his family in a post that framed the veteran’s survival as a defense of the president’s political movement. The tribute drew on a July 2024 campaign rally where a gunman opened fire.

“His indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure,” Trump wrote of Copenhaver, addressing the man’s wife directly and closing with a blessing for the family.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “ Jim Copenhaver, a true American Patriot, has passed away — A tremendous loss! More than two years ago in Butler, Pennsylvania, a crazed gunman attempted to stifle our America First Movement. Instead, Jim and so many other wonderful Patriots who love our Country, stood united in defense of our shared values of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice. After being wounded while protecting his family, Jim showed tremendous bravery, courageously continuing to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, and maintaining a positive spirit despite unimaginable hardships. His indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure. Our hearts and prayers are with the Copenhaver family, especially his incredible wife Marianne. God bless you all! Trump” on September 24, 2026 at 7:09 PM ET.

This is Trump’s 25th message released today, and the last post was 2 hours ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 38 of his 533 posts over the last 30 days classified as Personal Praise, Greetings and Tributes posts.

President Donald J. Trump posed at Washington D.C.

Jim Copenhaver was one of three campaign rally attendees shot in 2024 during the assassination attempt on then-candidate Trump, and he died in Pittsburgh at the age of 76 according to theguardian. He was in the bleachers during the Butler event when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, grazing Trump’s right ear with one bullet according to theguardian. One bullet hit Copenhaver in the triceps, and another lodged in his body after taking chunks of his colon, leaving him with nerve damage according to cbsnews.

His lawyer confirmed the “devoted” husband, father and grandfather died two years after he was “gravely wounded” during the shooting according to cbsnews. “James’s dedication to this great country was a defining part of his life,” the family statement said, adding that as a veteran he proudly served the nation in the armed forces according to cbsnews. Two other attendees were shot at the rally, David Dutch, who survived, and Corey Comperatore, who shielded his family before he was killed according to theguardian.

Marianne Copenhaver, his wife, joined him in a federal lawsuit filed in June against the government, alleging that the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security had “utterly failed” to provide appropriate security at the rally according to theguardian. The lawsuit described his wounds as “debilitating, grievous, permanent and life altering” according to theguardian.