2024-07-21 09:07:07
Trump supporter killed, two seriously injured
Donald Trump hastily left an event in Pennsylvania during his speech when what sounded like gunshots were heard.
While Trump was speaking in the city of Butler, there was a loud bang and the Republican candidate, after momentarily clutching his ear, fell to the ground.
Secret Service agents immediately rush in and cover him. Seconds later and after no shots are heard, they get up.
Trump is surrounded by members of his security, who carry him to his vehicle. He himself stops, raises his fist and says something to the crowd. From his right ear, blood appears to be running. Security officials, a short time later, assured that the former president is in good health.
The alleged perpetrator of the attack and a citizen who had gone to the gathering were killed, American media, including the digital edition of the Washington Post newspaper and the ABC News television network, reported, citing Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger.
According to a newspaper reporter, a bullet wounded the former president by narrowly hitting him. The Associated Press news agency reports that an investigation is underway into an attempted assassination of a former president.
Trump: “It’s unbelievable that something like this could happen in our country”
“I was hit by a bullet that went through the top of my right ear,” Mr. Trump said via his personal Truth Social website. “It’s unbelievable that something like this could happen in our country,” added the Republican.
The Secret Service asked members of the news media to leave about 20 minutes after Mr. Trump left the scene, declaring the area a crime scene.
BREAKING:
Trump just got shot with something in the head during a rally.
He could be seen bleeding from his ear pic.twitter.com/Ce8sGqR7gQ
— Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) July 13, 2024
“President Trump thanks the security forces and medics for their prompt response during this tough operation. He is fine and being checked out at a local medical facility,” Trump’s team wrote to X.
According to the NYT, the exact source of the clicks was initially unclear.
A spokesman for Mr Trump, Steven Chung, said the former president was “doing well and being checked out at a local medical facility”. He gave no further information on whether or how Mr Trump was injured.
A Secret Service spokesman, Anthony Guglielmi, said Mr Trump was “safe” after “an incident” at his rally in Pennsylvania. He did not provide further details.
Biden’s speech
In an emergency speech broadcast live on television, Joe Biden insisted that “there is no place in America for this kind of violence”, which he described as “sick”, stressing that “everyone should condemn it”.
Mr. Trump, President Biden said, should be able to deliver his speech peacefully, without the slightest problem, adding that the incident was impermissible.
He assured that he is constantly informed about the developments and plans to talk to his opponent. He reiterated that according to the information he has, Mr. Trump is fine.
Obama: We wish Trump a speedy recovery
Former US President Barack Obama said he was relieved that Donald Trump’s injury did not appear to be serious, stressing that there is no place for politically motivated violence in the United States.
“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. While we don’t know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Donald Trump was not seriously injured and take the opportunity to recommit to civil behavior and respect for politics. Michelle and I wish him a speedy recovery,” Barack Obama wrote in a post on Platform X.
The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, reacted to the attack by expressing his sadness.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that “this is not the way we resolve our differences in America — and it should never be.” The retired general added that he was relieved that the former president was safe and well.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had been notified and that state police were on the scene and working with federal partners.
“I’m praying for President Trump,” House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said via X.
“Political violence has no place in the United States,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“I’m thinking about former President Trump and I’m praying for him,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.
“Shocked” declares Borel
EU High Representative Josep Borrell today condemned the attack and said he was “shocked”. “I am shocked by the news of the attack against (former) President Trump, which I strongly condemn. Once again we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against politicians,” the head of European diplomacy emphasized.
Starmer: Political violence has no place in our societies
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed “horror” at the “shocking scenes at the Trump rally”. “Political violence of any kind has no place in our societies (…) my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” Mr Starmer said via X.
Earlier, a spokesman for Downing Street underlined that London condemns all forms of political violence in the strongest possible way, sending the wishes of the British government for a speedy recovery to Donald Trump and expressing solidarity with his family.
Kishida: I pray for Trump’s speedy recovery
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed that the international community must unite and strongly condemn any form of violence that endangers democracy. “I am praying for the speedy recovery of former President Trump,” the Japanese prime minister added via X.
Mr Kishida’s predecessor in office, a leader of his faction, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, right), Shinzo Abe, was assassinated by a gunman while delivering a campaign speech on July 8, 2022.
Trudeau: Political violence is never tolerated
“Political violence is never tolerated,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said via X, reacting to the gunman’s attack against Donald Trump committed on Saturday in the state of Pennsylvania.
Orban: “Dark hours”
Hungary’s right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said via X that he is “thinking” of Donald Trump and “praying” for him “in these dark hours”.
Just two days earlier, Mr Orban had a meeting with the former US president at his Mar-a-Lago residence, which he presented as part of his initiative to promote a peace process in Ukraine — which Kiev rejects.