Hosting his first outdoor rally since being shot at in Pennsylvania last month, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was protected by bulletproof glass when he took the stage in North Carolina Wednesday.
Security measures to protect the 78-year-old candidate included storage containers stacked around the perimeter of the space to block direct sight lines, according to the Associated Press.
The U.S. Secret Service urged Trump’s campaign to avoid outdoor rallies after a 20-year-old gunman nearly killed the populist candidate on July 13. A bullet fired from an AR-15-style rifle grazed Trump’s ear. Agents devised a plan to keep him safe last week at al fresco gatherings after Trump’s team expressed a desire to continue speaking to supporters in fresh air.
Trump’s speech in Asheboro’s North Carolina Aviation Museum was interrupted Wednesday by a person in the crowd who appeared to require medical attention. He paused his speech and urged medics to take their time.
“It is very hot here I noticed,” Trump said. “It’s very hot.”
Flanked by Secret Service agents, he then walked from behind the protective glass to check on the audience member who appeared to be in distress. Trump shook hands with a supporter who was drinking a bottle of water, took in a chant of “We love Trump” then returned to the podium.
The Weather Channel reported it was 73 degrees Fahrenheit when the incident occurred.
The Republican leader finds himself in a tight race with Vice President Kamala Harris, who officially became the Democratic Party nominee this week at her party’s convention in Chicago. That four-day indoor event is taking place inside Chicago’s United Center. Harris speaks Thursday.
Trump won North Carolina when he ran for president in 2016 and 2020. Polls indicate the state is in play for both candidates in November.