MILWAUKEE — Exterior Fiserv Discussion board, a person who has turn out to be one thing of a star in MAGA circles mentioned his expertise as a front-row witness to the tried assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Blake Marnell, of San Diego, is healthier generally known as “Mr. Brick Go well with” or just “Brick Go well with.”
He has attended scores of Trump rallies and Republican occasions — together with the 2024 RNC as a delegate for California — in his signature brick go well with apparel to point out assist for the development of Trump’s long-promised border wall.
Marnell’s distinctive vogue sense first went viral in Could 2019, when Trump noticed him within the crowd and introduced the person onstage at a rally in central Pennsylvania.
However Marnell will keep in mind this previous Saturday’s Trump rally in western Pennsylvania for a way more sobering cause.
Seated within the first row of Butler Farm Present fairgrounds, Marnell says he was simply 10 yards from Trump when pictures have been fired.
“By the point [shots were fired], I used to be wanting away to the slide about immigration, Marnell advised the Put up.
“And once I turned again to see the president, he was already on the bottom, and I might see the Secret Service arising on the stage to cowl him up.”
Marnell started recording as brokers lined Trump behind the rostrum, ready anxiously to see his situation as soon as he emerged.
“I might see he was all proper,” Marnell stated.
“He raised his fist within the air. I couldn’t inform what he was saying, however I might inform he had combat in him.”
Marnell stated Trump’s look of defiance and subsequent fist-raising after the pictures rang out calmed hypothesis within the crowd, which had cause to worry the worst.
Right here’s the newest on the assassination try towards Donald Trump:
“With out that gesture, there could be a lot hypothesis about what occurred,” Marnell advised the Put up.
Although Marnell stored his digital camera rolling within the minutes after the taking pictures, he was disturbed by what he witnessed and waited till Wednesday to observe the footage.
He advised The Put up that seeing movies of individuals inside Butler Memorial Hospital — the place the injured Trump was taken instantly following the taking pictures — compelled him to submit the recording on X.
“Yesterday, I noticed some footage the place somebody within the emergency room had posted the arrival of President Trump within the emergency room,” Marnell stated.
“And I figured, Okay, if I can deal with that, I can return and have a look at my very own now.’ And I did… It simply wasn’t one thing I wished to unbox previous to yesterday.”
Requested if he observed any points with safety measures in place on Saturday, Marnell stated he observed nothing “poor” and believes Secret Service brokers responded appropriately to guard Trump.
The whole lot we all know in regards to the Trump assassination try
- 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was recognized because the shooter who tried to assassinate Donald Trump throughout a marketing campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
- Crooks was shot lifeless by Secret Service brokers.
- The gunman grazed Trump’s ear, killed a 50-year-old retired hearth chief, and injured two different rally-goers.
- Investigators detailed Crooks’ search historical past to lawmakers, revealing that he regarded for the dates of Trump’s appearances and the Democratic Nationwide Conference.
- Crooks’ search historical past additionally revealed a broad curiosity in high-profile individuals and celebrities, no matter their political affiliation, FBI officers reportedly stated.
- Trump completely recounted surviving the “surreal” assassination try with The Put up on the rally, remarking, “I’m presupposed to be lifeless.”
- Excessive-profile politicians, together with President Biden and Vice President Harris, addressed the nation in regards to the taking pictures, calling it “a heinous, horrible and cowardly act.”
He stated some errors should have been made, however vowed to attend for the official report earlier than making his ultimate judgment.
“Clearly at some degree, errors have been made and possibly a number of errors,” Marnell advised the Put up.
“Perhaps there’s a structural drawback into how lengthy it takes for a message from native police to be relayed to Secret Service?”
Exterior the RNC, Marnell quipped that the Fiserv Discussion board won’t be appropriate for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who made headlines this week when she advised ABC Information that brokers weren’t atop the constructing the place the shooter was perched due to its “sloped roof.”
“I don’t know, that roof is fairly sloped. I’m not likely certain how she will come to this constructing,” Marnell stated, pointing on the area behind him.
“…I don’t understand how she could possibly be right here. There’s ramps and every little thing… How might she stroll within the hallways?!”
Marnell concluded by telling the Put up he’s loved the conference thus far, and even acquired to talk with Trump for a second on Monday night time, who remembered Mr. Brick Go well with had been entrance and heart at his rally.
“[Trump] came to visit to me, reached throughout the Secret Service, shook my hand. And he stated, ‘That was a hell of a day, wasn’t it?’” Marnell stated.
“And I stated, ‘Sure it was.’ However the reality is he’s a hell of a person and I believe we’re fortunate to have him.”