Content Advisory: This article includes political commentary and references to an assassination attempt at a campaign rally. Reader discretion is advised.
Donald Trump told Wisconsin farmers they would not want his life, then pointed to the assassination attempt that left his ear bloodied during the 2024 campaign.
The president made the remarks on June 5 during an event in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where he spoke to farmers while promoting his administration’s agricultural agenda.
Trump praised rural life before turning the moment back toward his own experience.
“You wouldn’t trade my life, you wouldn’t want my life. Believe me, you don’t want it,” Trump told the crowd. “Your life is much better than my life, I will tell you.”
Then he referenced the July 13, 2024 attack at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. “Your ear wasn’t a little pierced over here. You didn’t get pierced,” Trump said. “You have a nice, safe, beautiful life.”
Trump Compared Farming Life To His Own
Trump began the remarks by describing farming as a difficult but meaningful way of life.
“You have a way of life that sometimes you’re land-rich and cash-poor,” he said. “Lots of different conditions. But people that are on farms love being on farms.”
The president then claimed farmers had something better than his own public life. The comment stood out because Trump often presents himself as powerful, dominant, and uniquely successful. This time, he framed farmers as better off because their lives were safer and more grounded.
The comparison quickly became one of the strangest lines from the event.
Trump Brought Up The Butler Rally Attack
Trump’s “pierced” remark referred to the assassination attempt at his Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally.
Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a nearby rooftop during the July 2024 event. A bullet grazed Trump’s right ear before Secret Service agents rushed him off the stage.
One rally attendee was killed, and two others were critically wounded before law enforcement officers fatally shot Crooks.
Trump has repeatedly returned to the attack in speeches and public appearances. In Wisconsin, he used it to contrast his own dangerous political life with the “nice, safe, beautiful” lives he said farmers enjoy.
Trump Also Raised Eyebrows With A Stat Claim
The event included several other unusual moments.
Trump drew attention after making a claim about African American employment before admitting he was not sure where the number came from.
He said the African American employment rate was the lowest it had ever been, then added, “I don’t know where that stat came from.”
The event also featured appearances from Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin farmer Ken Custer, former NFL offensive lineman Joe Thomas, and speed skater Jordan Stolz.
Trump praised Thomas as a “good-looking man” and later complimented Stolz’s athletic build, saying the speed skater had a leg “like a rock.”
Stolz then placed an Olympic medal around Trump’s neck, leading to another odd exchange. “I’m keeping it. I’m keeping it, Jordan. I’m not giving it back,” Trump joked. “I’m a very good guy for keeping gold. I like gold. I’m never giving this back. Congratulations.”
Trump eventually returned the medal.
For a speech meant to highlight farmers and agriculture, the event ended up producing a string of unexpected Trump moments: a “you don’t want my life” confession, a “pierced ear” assassination-attempt reference, and a statistic he admitted he could not fully place.
