{"id":2575557,"date":"2026-03-03T11:25:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T16:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-still-hit-hard-by-butler-death-amid-iran-conflict-salena-zito\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T11:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T16:27:13","slug":"trump-still-hit-hard-by-butler-death-amid-iran-conflict-salena-zito","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-still-hit-hard-by-butler-death-amid-iran-conflict-salena-zito\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump still hit &#8216;hard&#8217; by Butler death amid Iran conflict: Salena Zito"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-still-hit-hard-by-butler-death-amid-iran-conflict-salena-zito%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2575557&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>washington Examiner columnist Salena Zito argues that recent U.S. strikes on Iran are prompting Trump to confront the emotional weight of a past near\u2011death incident she covered. she recalls a Butler, Pennsylvania rally two days before the 2024 Republican National convention, where Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief who attended the event, was killed shielding his family. zito says Trump is \u201cstill taking it very hard\u201d about Comperatore\u2019s death, and she believes the incident weighs on him as he makes foreign policy decisions, including actions against Iran. She told The Hugh Hewitt Show she plans to ask Trump about his decision\u2011making in striking Iran, stressing that understanding his thought process is important. The remarks appear in the context of Zito\u2019s book Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America\u2019s Heartland, and the article also references related topics such as Melania Trump\u2019s tribute to fallen soldiers at the UN and Netanyahu\u2019s take on Israel\u2019s role. A video excerpt and links to additional stories accompany the piece.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump still hit &lsquo;hard&rsquo; by Butler rally death amid US conflict with Iran: Salena Zito<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2521538\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><em>Washington Examiner<\/em> columnist Salena Zito said the United States&rsquo;s strikes on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4477736\/trump-avoid-forever-war-iran\/\">Iran<\/a> made her remember what President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4477739\/trump-war-powers-congress-iran\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> told her after he survived <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4422656\/iran-state-tv-issues-trump-assassination-threat\/\">his first assassination attempt<\/a> in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Zito was present at the rally in Butler, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pennsylvania\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"629\">Pennsylvania<\/a>, where the then<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-presidential candidate narrowly dodged death<\/a> two days before the 2024 Republican National Convention. The shooting left <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3081773\/trump-rally-attendee-killed-assassination-attempt-identified-corey-comperatore\/\">Corey Comperatore<\/a>, a former fire chief from the area who attended the rally and shielded his family from oncoming gunfire, dead.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4477236\/democrats-trump-iran-mission-joe-concha\/\">Democrats risk looking &#8216;foolish&#8217; if Trump&#8217;s Iran mission is a success: Joe Concha<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4474952\/trump-stark-line-democrats-republicans-salena-zito\/\">Trump drew &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-drew-stark-line-between-democrats-and-republicans\/\" title=\"... drew \u2018stark line\u2019 between Democrats and Republicans\">stark line&#038;rsquo<\/a>; between Democrats and Republicans: Salena Zito<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/magazine-your-land\/4472045\/sports-media-failed-meet-the-moment-usa-hockey\/\">Sports media don&#8217;t meet the moment<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Zito said she &ldquo;absolutely&rdquo; expects the deaths of those killed in this new conflict in Iran to weigh on Trump, citing Comperatore&rsquo;s death as her reason.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[Trump is] still taking it very hard when Corey Comperatore lost his life in Butler,&rdquo; Zito said Monday on <em>The Hugh Hewitt Show<\/em>. &ldquo;That is something that really hits him hard, because he understands that that was someone who was coming to see him and to enjoy the day, and so that weighs on his mind.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>    <iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KRJfUnT1i4E?si=ni38aMElEF7Im3b2&amp;start=3641\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>    <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And you know, I was thinking about Butler in these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dozens-of-senators-demand-biden-immediately-stop-negotiating-with-iran-after-terror-attacks-on-israel\/\" title=\"Dozens Of Senators Demand Biden Immediately Stop Negotiating With ... After Terror Attacks On Israel\">past couple days<\/a>, as this has gone on, and I remember what he said to me about, &lsquo;There is a reason that I was saved that day. There was a reason that God wanted me to be around, to make decisions, to be president, and I have to live up to that purpose,&rsquo;&rdquo; Zito continued. &ldquo;And these past two days really made me think this may be one of the great reasons that he was saved.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Zito, who host Hugh Hewitt mentioned &ldquo;is on Trump&rsquo;s speed dial,&rdquo; said she hasn&rsquo;t spoken to the president since the conflict began, but she intends to ask about Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dhs-looks-to-investigate-chinese-hack-of-trump-and-harris-campaigns-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"DHS looks to investigate Chinese hack of ... and Harris campaigns - Washington Examiner\">decision-making&#038;rdquo<\/a>; on striking Iran. She said learning about the thought process is &ldquo;really important.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4477823\/netanyahu-israel-dragged-us-war-iran\/\"><strong>NETANYAHU DISMISSES CLAIM ISRAEL DRAGGED US INTO WAR WITH IRAN, PREDICTS &lsquo;ERA OF PEACE&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Zito covered the assassination attempt on Trump and its impact on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"522\">2024 election cycle<\/a> in her book, <em>Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America&rsquo;s Heartland<\/em>, which was released last year.<\/p>\n<p>First lady Melania Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4476670\/melania-trump-iran-conflict-soliders\/\">paid tribute to the families of fallen soldiers<\/a> who died in connection with the U.S. strikes against Iran during the United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday. She offered &ldquo;my earnest wishes for a swift and smooth recovery to all those who have been injured,&rdquo; and said the U.S. &ldquo;stands with all of the children throughout the world.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zito: Trump shaken by Butler death amid Iran clash<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2575558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26061669651282-e1772545677311.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[74958,57635,3634],"class_list":["post-2575557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-butler-death","tag-iran-conflict","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26061669651282-e1772545677311.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2575557"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2575562,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575557\/revisions\/2575562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2575558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2575557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2575557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2575557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}