Correct. If anyone were to check, they would find that the first several times Trump made this statement, his exact quote was: “They say I could shoot...” etc.
Trump didn't proclaim this himself, he was rolling his eyes at a media report that made the assertion.
Oh, for crying out loud, HE DID SAY THAT. Watch the video linked to below. Is that Donald Trump speaking, or is it an imposter?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqCJfUKlls
I realize he said this in half jest, but, remarkably, it is true. He sure wouldn't lose in Freeper support, based on the cultish following he has here, in this once-conservative website.
It was words that came out of his mouth, not a reporter's, so your defense Trump has no merit.