## “Illegal Immigration Saved My Life,” Trump Tells Musk Referring to Attack
**By Carlos Álvarez Acevedo, August 12, 2024**
Donald John Trump, the Republican candidate and former U.S. President from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, claimed on August 12, 2024, that illegal immigration “saved” his life during an assassination attempt on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, during a rally.
In a live conversation on the social media platform X with Elon Reeve Musk, Trump humorously mentioned that turning to show a chart to the public allowed him to dodge the bullet. “Illegal immigration saved my life,” he emphasized.
Trump sustained an injury to his ear after a 20-year-old fired at him from a nearby rooftop, killing one audience member and injuring two others. Just before getting hit, Trump turned his head to display a chart illustrating a significant drop in illegal immigration during his presidency.
“It was a miracle. Had I not turned my head, I wouldn’t be here talking to you now,” Trump told Musk, mentioning his gratitude for using that particular chart. “I’ll always sleep with it,” he joked.
In his discussion, Trump accused President Joseph Biden’s administration of opening the borders to “illegal immigrants” and criticized countries like Venezuela for allegedly lowering their crime rates by “getting rid of” these individuals. He downplayed the swiftness with which he got up after the attack, showing a bloodied ear and raised fist while surrounded by Secret Service agents.
“I wanted to let people know I was okay. It was very important to me. Once I stood up and raised my fist, people were relieved and happy. The place went crazy,” Trump recalled.
Musk queried, “Is it correct to say you support legal immigration but want to end illegal immigration?” Trump affirmed, “I say this all the time; they have to come legally.” He also took the opportunity to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, calling her more “incompetent” than Biden in handling migration issues and claiming she did nothing while in charge of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The interview began with a delay of about 45 minutes. According to Musk, the owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, the social media platform experienced a massive DDoS attack. “There seems to be a massive DDoS attack on X. We’re working to contain it. In the worst-case scenario, we’ll proceed with fewer live listeners and post the conversation later,” Musk announced.
On August 12, 2024, Trump also returned to posting on the platform owned by Musk. His last tweet was dated January 8, 2021, before his account was suspended amid the political tension following the 2020 presidential election and the Capitol assault by his supporters.
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### Secondary Article: Further Insights on Trump and Musk’s Conversation
In addition to the aforementioned discussion, several other noteworthy points emerged from the conversation between Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
During the live discussion, Musk mentioned his ongoing efforts to ensure the security of his platforms and thwart cyber attacks like the DDoS attack that delayed the interview. He reiterated the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and hinted at some upcoming enhancements to the platform’s security infrastructure.
Moreover, the conversation veered into other areas, with Musk inquiring about Trump’s views on technological advancements and innovation in the United States. Trump praised the country’s tech industry, highlighting his administration’s efforts to bolster technology investments and create a favorable environment for innovation.
Musk, known for his candid viewpoints, also touched upon the potential for collaboration between private companies and the government to address significant challenges, including space exploration and sustainable energy. Trump’s responses suggested a willingness to engage in such collaborations, recognizing the value private enterprises bring to these critical sectors.
Finally, the interview underscored the unique dynamic between Trump and Musk. Both influential figures, their interactions showcased not only their individual perspectives but also the potential avenues where their interests and ambitions align, particularly concerning technology, business, and immigration policy.
These added insights provided a richer context to the original discussion, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the dialogue between the former president and the tech magnate.