Former US President Donald Trump was shot at during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
In the middle of Trump’s speech, several popping noises were heard. Trump seemed to be hit in the ear and duck to the ground. Secret Service immediately rushed to the stage to surround Trump.
Before being extracted, Trump raised his fist defiantly in the air and told supporters to “fight”. He was rushed off stage to an armoured car by Secret Service. Blood was smeared across his face from being shot in the ear.
Attendants of the rally ducked in their seats but stood up and cheered after Trump raised his fist and was escorted off.
Trump was taken to a medical centre near the site of the rally. While he underwent medical analysis, Trump’s campaign said he was not seriously injured and condemned the attack. It is unclear what injuries Trump may have sustained.
Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said Trump thanked “law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act”.
Law enforcement are considering this attack an assassination attempt.
One audience member was killed, and another is in critical condition. The shooter was killed by the Secret Service.
It appears the attacker was outside the security perimeter on a roof overlooking the rally. Onlookers outside the rally saw the shooter and alerted Secret Service to the area. About eight to ten bullets were fired at Trump. Some reports have suggested that the bullets hit the teleprompter and a shard of glass may have hit Trump in the ear.
Members of Congress and several state governors across party lines condemned the attacks, arguing violence against political opponents is unacceptable.
Former Democratic President Barack Obama said on X that “there is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy” and Americans “should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt”.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident while in his home state of Delaware, saying he was “grateful to hear that [Trump’s] safe and doing well” and America “must unite as one nation to condemn [violence]”.
Biden and Trump have been locked in a tight race for the 2024 Presidential Election. While both are competing to win the election, Biden said he hoped to reach out to Trump following the attack.
This act of violence comes two days before the Republican National Convention begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump is due to accept the Republican nomination for president at the convention. Trump will also announce his vice presidential nominee at the convention. He has frequently campaigned across the country, holding a series of rallies.
While Trump faced primary opposition from former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, he won enough primary contests to secure the nomination and received the endorsement of both primary opponents.
This is the first major assassination attempt of any US President since President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinkley Jr. on March 30, 1981.
An Associated Press photo of Trump raising his fist after being shot has become instantly iconic of his campaign and the political tensions of America during this election cycle.
“Donald Trump Signs The Pledge” by Michael Vadon is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.