Susie Wiles describes the harrowing moments after Trump was shot, crediting luck and security for saving his life.

Chief of Staff Describes Panic and Relief After Butler Shooting

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has recounted in vivid detail the moments surrounding the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Butler, reflecting both the chaos and eventual relief that followed the attack. Speaking on the “Pod Force One” podcast with Miranda Devine, Wiles described her initial fear that Trump had been fatally shot, only to witness his dramatic recovery moments later.

“We were just crazy the minute he was hit,” Wiles recalled, explaining that as gunfire rang out at the rally, she believed the worst had happened. Trump was struck in the ear, grabbed his head, and fell as Secret Service agents rushed to shield him. The president’s decision to ask for an immigration chart moments earlier, Wiles suggested, may have saved his life by causing him to turn his head away from the gunfire at the crucial moment. “That just doesn’t happen because it happened,” she reflected, hinting at divine intervention or extraordinary luck.

The rally crowd erupted as Trump stood, blood running down his face, defiantly shouting “Fight!” before being whisked away by security—a moment that quickly became one of the most iconic images in recent American political history. Wiles said it was only upon arriving at the hospital and learning Trump’s injuries were not life-threatening that she and the team felt relief. “But it was a scary time, and it changed everything for us, the security became front and center, which it hadn't been before,” she said.

Security Measures, Campaign Changes, and Reflections

Wiles noted that the attempted assassination forced the campaign to overhaul its entire approach to security, eliminating outdoor rallies and venues with large windows—hallmarks of Trump’s campaign style. The Secret Service, she said, “became on steroids,” ensuring unprecedented protection moving forward. She added that Trump himself believes he was “saved,” and the team had to adapt to a new normal.

Beyond the shooting, Wiles touched on the transition into the White House, commending former President Joe Biden’s staff for their professionalism and support during the handover. “They could not have been more kind to me as we were transitioning, really wonderful at telling us what to expect, what resources were at our fingertips,” Wiles said. She maintains occasional contact with members of Biden’s staff, despite political differences.

Wiles also shared her perspective on the meeting between Trump and Biden after the 2024 election, remarking on the civility and unexpected cordiality between the two leaders despite their contentious campaign. “It was a great meeting. I kept thinking, these two have been just saying horrific things about each other, and they're like old golfing buddies here now,” she observed.

As President Trump continues his tenure, the events in Butler remain a defining episode for his team, reshaping both the administration’s security outlook and the tone of political transition in Washington.