President Trump said Monday he believes that he survived a summertime assassination attempt in Pennsylvania so he could lead the U.S. to prosperity.

“My life was saved for a reason,” Mr. Trump said in his inaugural address. “I was saved by God to make America great again.”

Mr. Trump’s ear was grazed during the shooting in July, which killed one of his supporters at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A Secret Service sharpshooter killed the gunman.

The president said the proof was in election results that showed him gaining among different ethnic groups and wins in all seven swing states. He defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, who sat a few feet away as he delivered his inaugural address in the Capitol Rotunda.

Mr. Trump pointed to his diversity of support in acknowledging that it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He said he would strive to “make his dream come true.”

“National unity is now returning to America,” he said. “Confidence and pride is soaring like never before.”

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.