Hello from the Heartland. My name is Jenna, and this is Smarter News, news when it matters and why it matters.

Our Smarter series features unique people who help us think and live smarter.

Hi, everyone. Welcome to Smart News. My name is Jenna, and we have a unique perspective for you today

after the attempted assassination of former President Trump this weekend. I was able to connect with

an eyewitness of this event, Gary Tate. Gary is a father of two girls. He decided to attend this rally as a supporter of President Trump. He did so with his fiance and his fiance's mother. And he provides a really interesting window into what is now a historic moment in American history. You'll hear from Gary his reasons for attending this rally. It's the

first rally he's ever attended for former President Trump. And you'll hear some of his thoughts just as he

was entering the event, as he watched this event unfold, and of course, his reflections in the

aftermath. In reporting on a story like this, it is really important

to get eyewitness perspective. And we know from our reporting in general that eyewitness perspective

is going to change depending on who you speak to. But it's still a piece of a puzzle as this

investigation is still very much ongoing. And we still have more questions than answers.

So without further ado, let's start with Gary, who as we started this conversation, was

describing why he made the choice to go to this rally and what it was like when he arrived.

Just take me back to Saturday and talk me through, like, you know,

why did you decide to attend the rally and, and what was it like getting there and getting

into the event? Well, I am a supporter of President Trump.

I think that during his presidency, he did a lot of great things.

And I had never been in the same proximity as a former president or current president.

So I was really excited about going.

I went with my fiancé, Stephanie, and her mother.

Her mom is in her mid to late 70s.

It was also very excited about the event.

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