Former United States President Donald Trump was shot in an assassination attempt, during a campaign rally in the city of Butler in Pennsylvania, USA.
The shooting on Saturday streaked blood across Trump’s face, as a bullet hit his ear and set off panic among the thousands of people attending the rally. The Secret Service said it shot the suspected assailant dead and the FBI has confirmed the assassination attempt, with US President Joe Biden making a press statement that there is “no place for violence in America.”
The shooting took place after Trump, 78, just started his speech. As shots were fired, the former president grabbed his right ear with his right hand, then brought his hand down to look at it before dropping to his knees behind the podium. Secret Service agents then swarmed Trump, before he emerged and pumped his fist in the air, appearing to mouth the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
He was later whisked from the stage and ushered into a vehicle.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform following the shooting. “Much bleeding took place.”
The attack was the most serious assassination attempt on a US president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It came in a deeply polarised political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention – which his campaign said would proceed as planned.
Trump’s statement following the assassination
Following the attack, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, saying:
“I want to thank thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. 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. 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. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I hear a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA! “
World leaders condemn the attack
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office earlier this month, said he condemned all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and sent his “best wishes” to Trump and his family.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he was praying for Trump’s speedy recovery and called for a firm stand against “any form of violence that challenges democracy”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend” adding “Violence has no place in politics and democracies.”
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “following with apprehension” updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery. She expressed her hope that “in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence.”
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te offered his “sincere condolences” to the shooting victims. “Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies,” he said.
Australia’s Anthony Albanese said he was “shocked by the terrible scenes” at the Trump campaign event, expressing his relief that the former US president was safe.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” after the assassination attempt saying “In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda.”
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump” adding “We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, meanwhile, said he “fully” endorses Trump after the violence.
