Donald Trump shot at on Pennsylvania election rally stage; US Secret Service kills assailant

Former US President Donald Trump was rushed off stage after he was injured in a series of gunshots fired at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. As gunshots were heard, he was seen clutching a hand to his right ear, where blood was visible across his cheek and mouth.

He was shot in the ear as his face got streaked with blood. While Trump grabbed his ear and crouched down, he got up a minute later and pumped his fist in the air and yelled, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

The US Secret Service confirmed that Trump was safe, but a rally attendee was killed in the firing and two were injured. The assailant was shot dead by the Secret Service.

Law enforcement agents were investigating the case as a genuine attempt on Donald Trump’s life, the FBI confirmed to the media.

In his first reaction after the shooting at his rally, the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate said in a statement that he “was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear”.

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” said Trump, who was not seriously injured, on his Truth Social site.

He is currently doing “fine” and being checked at a medical facility, said reports.

The former President is “fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility”, said Trump Communications Director Steven Cheung in a statement following the attack.

US President Joe Biden condemned the apparent assassination attempt on his rival election candidate Donald Trump.

Political leaders from both parties slammed the attack.

“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country… We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this,” Biden told reporters in an emergency briefing at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.

“The idea that there’s political violence, or violence in America like this, is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. Everybody, everybody must condemn it. Everybody,” Biden said.

US Vice-President Kamala Harris said on X: “We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.”

Former US President Barack Obama said in a statement that there was “absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy”. “Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” the Democrat leader said on X.

Former US President and Republican leader George W. Bush condemned the “cowardly” attack.

“Laura and I are grateful that [former] President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response,” Bush said in a statement.

The shooter had been “tentatively identified”, police said, and he was believed to be working alone.

The US Secret Service said in a statement that the suspected shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the Trump rally” before being “neutralized” by agents.

Thousands of Trump supporters were attending the rally when the shooting, which was captured live on news channels, happened. The shooting created chaos with people in the back of the venue immediately running to the exits.

The attack sent shockwaves around the world, prompting leaders of India, Britain, Israel, Japan, Singapore, and a host of other countries to express outrage. It has also triggered political storms, with some Republicans pointing the finger at Biden and right-wing conspiracy theories flooding social media.

US President Joe Biden spoke to Trump, his November election opponent, a White House official said. The official did not reveal what the two spoke about. Biden also talked with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy, the White House said.

The Pennsylvania incident happened two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump will formally become the party’s nominee for the November 5 presidential election.

“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States. As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again,” his campaign said.

Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, issued a statement on X: “Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always.”

Trump also thanked the US Secret Service and other law enforcement personnel “for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place”.

“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured,” he said in the post.

“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” he added. Trump ended the post with, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

—With inputs from PTI