Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old retired fire chief from Sarver, Pennsylvania, was killed during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, PA. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from a rooftop before being shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
Comperatore died shielding his wife and daughter from the gunfire. His daughter, Allyson, wrote in a now-deleted post, “He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us.” His sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said, “The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most.”
Governor Josh Shapiro honored Comperatore’s actions, saying, “Corey died a hero. Corey dived on his family to protect them last night. Corey was the very best of us.”
Comperatore had recently retired from the fire service and worked as a tooling engineer at JSP. Just hours before the rally, he posted on X: “Trump rally! Butler, PA,” in response to a question about weekend plans.
1. Final Tweet Before the Tragedy
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1812085884591759687
Date: July 13, 2024
Tweet: “Trump rally! Butler, PA”
Corey Comperatore responded to a casual question about weekend plans with a post about attending the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. It would become his final tweet before he was killed while shielding his family during the assassination attempt on Donald Trump later that same day.
2. Reply to Satirical Trump Post About Cyclists
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1811572517519372463
Date: July 12, 2024
Tweet: “Deal!” (in response to a satirical Babylon Bee post about Trump legalizing running over bicyclists)
In a reply that many saw as insensitive, Comperatore enthusiastically agreed with a parody tweet about Trump supporting violence against cyclists. The comment drew backlash after his death, adding to the ongoing online debate about his social media activity.
3. Criticism of DEI Initiatives
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1810715389053305072
Date: July 9, 2024
Tweet: “The DEI plant.” (in response to a tweet comparing Karine Jean-Pierre and Jen Psaki)
Comperatore referred to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre as a “DEI plant,” suggesting her role was due to diversity policies rather than merit. The post reflects a broader critique of progressive hiring practices and became a point of contention online after his passing.
4. Disapproval of VP Pick Over Ukraine Stance
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1808274282679787674
Date: July 3, 2024
Tweet: “I was actually leaning toward him until this….”
Comperatore voiced disappointment with Doug Burgum after Burgum’s comments in support of U.S. aid to Ukraine. The post marked a shift in his political stance, rejecting a potential Trump VP pick due to foreign policy views.
5. Support for Tucker Carlson
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1806121836578758857
Date: June 27, 2024
Tweet: “This is when Tucker is at his best in my opinion!”
He praised a clip of Tucker Carlson criticizing a liberal speaker, expressing support for Carlson’s confrontational style. The post highlights Comperatore’s alignment with Carlson’s brand of conservative commentary.
6. Complimenting a Rural Conservative Figure
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1805374195217371632
Date: June 25, 2024
Tweet: “Nice shack!”
In a light-hearted moment, Comperatore complimented right-wing internet figure Catturd’s rural property, countering criticism of the home’s appearance. The tweet contrasts with the more charged nature of his other posts.
7. Frustration with Political Investigations
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1804305945960317198
Date: June 22, 2024
Tweet: “So many investigations, and yet nothing ever happens. You all play on the same team.”
He expressed cynicism over investigations into the Biden family, suggesting that government agencies were complicit in covering for political elites. The post aligns with common conservative critiques of institutional corruption.
8. Favoring Putin Over U.S. Politicians
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1797679831720829170
Date: June 3, 2024
Tweet: “Putin, 100%” (in response to a meme asking who to save from a burning room: Biden, Clinton, AOC, or Putin)
In a controversial response, Comperatore chose Vladimir Putin over several prominent U.S. politicians. The tweet reflects extreme political polarization and distrust in American leadership, a sentiment that sparked backlash after his death.
9. Reaction to Local Billboard on Hamas and Gender Identity
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1787644704131027346
Date: May 7, 2024
Tweet: “I pass that everyday. The one slide a week ago said, ‘F*ck Hamas and the camel they rode in on’. The guy that owns it is great!”
Corey Comperatore commented on a rotating political billboard in Butler County, Pennsylvania, praising its owner for displaying provocative messages. His post highlighted conservative cultural commentary tied to the area, which later became the site of Trump’s rally where Comperatore was killed.
10. Mocking Gaza Displacement Concerns
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1718385238152282202
Date: October 29, 2023
Tweet: “They’ll get over it. The Japanese did.”
In response to Piers Morgan’s post raising humanitarian concerns over Palestinians displaced by Israeli airstrikes, Comperatore downplayed the suffering by comparing it to Japan’s recovery after WWII. The post drew sharp criticism for its dismissive tone toward a humanitarian crisis.
11. Endorsing Trump/Jordan 2024 Ticket
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1715821688846192757
Date: October 21, 2023
Tweet: “Trump/Jordan 2024 ticket. Nothing less.”
Comperatore voiced support for a presidential ticket featuring Donald Trump and Rep. Jim Jordan. The tweet was resurfaced and widely shared after his death, viewed by some as a reflection of his strong political beliefs and unwavering Trump loyalty.
12. Voter Disillusionment with GOP
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1715433682003951996
Date: October 20, 2023
Tweet: “I’m with ya! I’d change my voter registration on Monday! I’m done with the Republican party… I will vote for Trump and vote in my local elections and that is it.”
Expressing frustration with the GOP, Comperatore pledged to support only Trump and local candidates. The post captures MAGA-aligned voter discontent following GOP leadership failures and mirrors broader 2023 polling that showed widespread institutional distrust.
13. Criticizing Mike Pence Over January 6
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1711862387228160030
Date: October 11, 2023
Tweet: “Americans had enough of @Mike_Pence on January 6, 2021.”
Responding to a post by Mike Pence about American leadership, Comperatore took aim at the former Vice President’s actions during the Capitol riot. His comment aligns with MAGA-aligned critiques of Pence and the belief that he betrayed Trump during the certification of the 2020 election.
14. Frustration Over GOP Infighting After McCarthy’s Removal
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1709741980744401231
Date: October 5, 2023
Tweet: “You cried alligator tears about McCarthy’s ousting, now all of a sudden Jim Jordan would make a great speaker? No kidding? Yes he would and about a dozen others too. Everyone that is upset about McCarthy has lost touch from the average conservative working class.”
Replying to Tomi Lahren’s praise of Jim Jordan, Comperatore criticized perceived hypocrisy among conservatives upset over Kevin McCarthy’s ouster. He expressed frustration with the GOP establishment and emphasized a disconnect between party elites and working-class conservatives. The post reflects ongoing internal tensions within the Republican base following leadership changes in 2023.
15. Dark Humor Response to Tsunami Meme
Source: https://x.com/Corey_Comper/status/1686186076702953473
Date: August 1, 2023
Tweet: “Die.”
Responding to a parody image of a massive tsunami approaching a crowded beach, Comperatore replied with a blunt, darkly humorous comment. The one-word answer, “Die,” was widely interpreted as a deadpan reaction to the hopeless scenario. It stands out from his other posts for its simplicity and sarcastic tone, showcasing a different side of his online voice.
Conclusion
Following his death, Comperatore’s presence on X (formerly Twitter) began attracting attention, particularly for posts related to the war in Gaza. One response to broadcaster Piers Morgan—regarding the displacement of over a million people in Gaza after an Israeli warning—drew criticism from many users who viewed the comment as dismissive.
While many mourn Comperatore as a heroic figure who gave his life to protect his family, others have pointed to his political views and online activity as a source of controversy. The discussions have raised broader questions about public figures, online expression, and how individuals are remembered in the aftermath of tragedy.
Despite the debate, Comperatore’s final act remains the defining moment of his story—he died shielding his loved ones.
