(Milwaukee) Donald Trump escaped an assassination attempt Saturday at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, two days before the start of the Republican convention in Milwaukee where he is to accept his party’s nomination as presidential candidate.
The former president had just begun a speech to thousands of supporters when gunshots rang out around 6:15 p.m. He stopped and put his hand to his right ear before crouching behind his lectern.
His bodyguards immediately rushed to his aid and protect him. A few seconds later, Joe Biden’s rival stood up, his ear bloodied. He left the stage, shaking his fist a few times and shouting to the crowd: Fight! Fight! (“Fight! Fight!”)
Donald Trump supporters responded by chanting: “USA! USA!”
PHOTO REBECCA DROKE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Donald Trump leaves the stage surrounded by Secret Service agents, his ear bloody.
One audience member was killed by the gunman and two others were seriously injured.
“Tonight we witnessed what we call an assassination attempt on our former President Donald Trump,” FBI official Kevin Rojek confirmed at a news conference. However, the FBI said there was “no reason” to believe there was “another threat.”
The FBI also said it was “close to identifying” the person who shot the former president.
According to a witness interviewed by the BBC, the gunman, armed with a rifle and wearing camouflage trousers, was on the roof of a one-story building outside the security perimeter of the rally. After firing five shots, he was shot dead by Secret Service agents,
“They blew his brains out,” said the man, who was standing in the shade of a tree outside the security perimeter where he could hear Trump’s speech.
Near the scene, a journalist from New York Times heard an audience member shout, “Donald Trump was just elected today! He’s a martyr!”
Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Donald Trump’s campaign, said shortly afterward that the 78-year-old candidate “is doing well and is being evaluated at a local medical center.”
PHOTO EVAN VUCCI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Secret Service agents threw Donald Trump to the ground.
Reactions are pouring in
A few hours later, the former president himself reacted on Truth Social.
“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies for their swift response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the individual who was killed at the rally, as well as the family of another individual who was seriously injured.”
It is unbelievable that such an act could happen in our country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
Former President Donald Trump on Truth Social
“I was shot through the top of my right ear,” Trump also wrote. “I knew something was wrong right away because I heard a whistling sound, gunshots, and immediately felt the bullet tear through my skin. I bled profusely and then I knew what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Joe Biden was at church in Delaware at the time of the attack on Donald Trump. After being informed, he released a statement, saying he was “glad to hear he is safe and doing well.”
He then addressed a group of journalists in person in Reheboth, where his vacation home is located.
There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It is sick. Sick. It is one of the reasons why I want to unite this country. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot tolerate it.
Joe Biden, President of the United States
Joe Biden repeated at the end of his speech what he had said at the beginning, namely that he had tried to reach “Donald” on the phone and that he would make up his mind later in the evening.
“Violence has no place”
Several other political figures, both Republican and Democrat, reacted to this tragic event which comes at the heart of a presidential campaign where the threat of violence was already present and where both parties defined the other as a threat to American democracy.
“Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be okay after a heinous attack on a peaceful gathering,” said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. “Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies.”
Donald Trump’s predecessor also condemned the shooting.
“While we do not yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured and take this moment to recommit to civility and respect in our political lives. Michelle and I wish him a speedy recovery,” Obama said.
Authorities have not released any information about the suspect in the shooting or his motives.
Milwaukee Convention Gets Green Light
Despite the shooting, Republican Party officials said the Milwaukee convention program would go ahead as planned. Trump is scheduled to deliver his inaugural address Thursday, the day after his running mate addresses the event.
“President Trump looks forward to joining all of you in Milwaukee as we hold our convention to nominate him for the position of 47e “President of the United States,” Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, along with Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley and Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, said in a statement.
Butler’s shooting sparked a flurry of comments on social media. Entrepreneur Elon Musk, owner of the X platform, drew attention by taking the opportunity to end his neutrality toward presidential candidates.
PHOTO BRENDAN MCDERMID, REUTERS
Officers inspect the rally site
“I fully support President Trump and hope he recovers quickly,” he wrote on X.
Former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker saw divine intervention at work in Butler.
“The former president was saved by the hand of God,” he wrote on X, posting a photo of Donald Trump, his ear bloodied, his fist raised, with the American flag in the background.
With Agence France-Presse