- ‘Born again’ Rep. Maria Salazar says Trump believes God saved her life
- He spoke with someone ‘very close’ to the former president
A brush with death that could have killed him from an assassin’s bullet has left former President Donald Trump a “changed man,” says a Florida lawmaker who has been in touch with his inner circle.
Rep. Maria Salazar (R), who describes herself as a born-again Christian, said she spoke to someone “very close” to Trump about his awakening, which she said has been evident to people close to him.
“He believes God has given him another chance. He believes God spared his life and he’s a… I’m not sure if spiritual is the word or the adjective. I’m not sure if he’s more contemplative. But I do know he’s a different man,” she told DailyMail.com on Tuesday.
Salazar, a Miami lawmaker who is part of the Republican Party leadership team, noted the impression Trump made on people on the convention floor, with apparent changes in his demeanor as he stood inside the convention hall surrounded by fans and sporting a large white bandage on his injured ear.
Trump “closed his eyes and prayed the whole time” during the blessing, he said.
“It changes you as a person,” he said of the assassination attempt. “And when you change as a person internally because somehow the powers of heaven have touched you, then you start to lead a different life… This is like before and after Christ.”
Donald Trump is a “changed man,” said Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), who is a born-again Christian and says she spoke to someone close to him.
She spoke after attending an event hosted by Axios at the Republican convention, where she said God spoke to Trump and gave him a “second chance” to unify the nation.
He reflected after Donald Trump Jr. described the impact of the attack on him and his father.
Trump Jr. predicted the event would have a lasting effect on his father.
“There are events that change you for a couple of minutes and there are events that change you permanently,” he said at the event.
Trump has long enjoyed a strong relationship with evangelical voters, who helped propel him to a strong showing in Iowa in 2016 and sent him on his way to the nomination.
Trump, who was married three times, has touted the Bible at campaign events but has not shown deep familiarity with religious texts. He included Mike Pence, a deeply religious man, on the list in part to reassure evangelical voters, and then packed the courts with pro-life judges.
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) said Trump experienced the kind of event that changes someone “permanently.”
Delegates prayed on the floor of the Republican Convention on a night when Trump appeared with a bandage on his injured ear.
Delegates prayed for Trump during a blessing on Monday
He is also famous for holding a Bible upside down after government officials cleared Lafayette Square in front of the White House amid protests over George Floyd.
Trump and his team have called for national unity in the wake of the shooting, and Trump, as well as several convention speakers, have said they have changed their speeches to reflect the new tone.
Trump was rallying his delegates even before the assassination attempt, and even after scrapping abortion language that had been in the party platform for years.
Whether Trump will turn the other cheek to his political enemies remains to be seen, having promised “retribution” against those who persecuted him in his New York fraud cases, hush money for his suspects, classified documents and January 6.
Trump showed emotion Monday night as Pastor James Ramsey delivered the benediction, after a quick Trump impression brought a smile to the face.
He asked the Lord to save us from violence, discord and confusion, from pride and arrogance and from every evil action.
“Thank you for keeping President Trump safe,” he said. “Please pray for the families of those affected by the demonic violence at Saturday’s rally.”