Former U.S. president and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
Moments after the former commander-in-chief took the stage in Butler, Pa. to address supporters, shots were heard from a distance and Trump was struck in the ear by one of the bullets. U.S. Secret Service agents promptly surrounded him after the gunfire rang out and rushed the 2024 presidential hopeful off-stage, but before Trump left the stage, he raised a fist and shouted, “Fight! Fight!” to the crowd.
Though a bullet struck Trump’s ear and blood ran down the right side of his face, the former president showed no initial signs of significant injury. Secret Service has confirmed that Trump is now safe. Trump’s campaign reported that the former president is “fine” and has been evaluated at a local Pennsylvania medical facility.
Former President Trump was released from the hospital and has landed in Newark, New Jersey where he plans to spend the night at his private golf club. Trump campaign officials have confirmed that the former President still plans to appear at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin next week.
Warning: The video below contains scenes of violence and may not be suitable for certain audiences.
BREAKING: Donald Trump pumps his fist as blood covers his face after ‘pops’ ring out. pic.twitter.com/XSLVR055bv
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 13, 2024
While an official tally of injuries and deaths sustained at the scene has not been released, Pennsylvania Senate candidate David McCormick, who was present at the rally, confirmed that at least one other person was struck by one of the bullets.
“I think so. Absolutely, I think so,” McCormick told Fox News when asked if Trump was lucky to survive the shooting. “When you’re in the middle of a crisis, you don’t want to draw too many conclusions. But it sounds to me like he’s very lucky to be alive. I hope others who were injured are going to survive this. It was a very scary moment.”
Richard Goldinger, the district attorney representing the Butler, Pa. area told multiple outlets that one member of the audience at the rally was killed. He also confirmed that the shooter who attempted to take the former president’s life was killed.
It has since been confirmed that one rally attendee was killed during the shooting. Two others were critically injured.
The FBI has identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa. Crooks was spotted on video atop a structure, believed to be a shed, roughly 300 feet from the rally, and was allegedly armed with an AR-style rifle. He was shot and killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper after opening fire on Trump, per reports.
President Joe Biden referred to the assassination attempt as “sick” and condemned politically motivated violence of any kind. He also said that he plans to reach out to Trump.
“We cannot allow for this to happen. It cannot be like this. We cannot condone this,” Biden said. “The rally should have been able to be conducted peacefully without any problems. The idea that there is political violence or violence in America like this is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. Everybody must condemn it.”
Third-party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whose father and uncle were victims of politically motivated assassinations, also weighed in on the shooting.
“Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family,” Kennedy wrote on X.
Here is how Mississippi’s elected officials have reacted to the assassination attempt on Trump:
Governor Tate Reeves
Pray for President Donald Trump!
Pray for the Trump family!
Pray for the attendees at the rally!
And please…Pray for America!
God’s protection and grace, along with the vigilance of patriots, is the only shield against evil. pic.twitter.com/gu6dFYX1Fl
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) July 13, 2024
Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann
This is my President. Please pray for him.
This is an attack on the country and every citizen’s right to free and fair elections. pic.twitter.com/kMpAkoMFmS— Delbert Hosemann (@DelbertHosemann) July 13, 2024
Attorney General Lynn Fitch
Prayers for a speedy recovery, Mr. President. pic.twitter.com/R0bC83e51t
— Lynn Fitch (@LynnFitchAG) July 13, 2024
Secretary of State Michael Watson
Praying for President Trump and the first responders. May God protect them and give them strength. pic.twitter.com/ymEuxFB87V
— Secretary Michael Watson (@MichaelWatsonMS) July 13, 2024
State Auditor Shad White
God bless President Trump.
— Shad White (@shadwhite) July 13, 2024
State Treasurer David McRae
Prayers for @realDonaldTrump and those in attendance during this shameful attack. Gratitude to law enforcement and first responders. pic.twitter.com/kZtGrzsZiV
— Treasurer David McRae (@DavidMcRaeMS) July 13, 2024
Senator Roger Wicker
Prayers for President Trump. Glad he was able to walk away.
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) July 13, 2024
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
I am sickened by the assassination attempt on President Trump and give thanks to God that he is safe. I am also praying for the victims of such violence. It is both intolerable and anti-American.
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) July 14, 2024
Congressman Trent Kelly
Prayers for President Trump. pic.twitter.com/w1uK2Rgcco
— Trent Kelly (@RepTrentKelly) July 13, 2024
Congressman Bennie Thompson
There is no room in American democracy for political violence. I am grateful for law enforcement’s fast response to this incident.
I am glad the former President is safe, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.
— Bennie G. Thompson (@BennieGThompson) July 13, 2024
Congressman Representative Michael Guest
Haley and I are praying for President Trump, his family, and our country with the news coming out of Pennsylvania.
— Congressman Michael Guest (@RepMichaelGuest) July 13, 2024
Congressman Mike Ezell
Suzette and I are praying for President Trump.
Thank you to the first responders and to secret service for their quick action.
— Congressman Mike Ezell (@RepEzell) July 13, 2024
Authorities are continuing to investigate the shooting. This is a developing story.
