Trump injured in apparent assassination bid at Pennsylvania rally
The 78-year-old former president and republican candidate was rushed off stage on Saturday with blood streaked across his face after being shot in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman and a bystander were killed and two spectators critically injured.
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Former president and Republican candidate Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, after gunshots rang through the crowd. US media said that the shooting was being investigated as an assassination attempt. His campaign later said in a statement that he was “fine” and that he was “being checked out at a local medical facility.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” Trump’s team added. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said after 8 pm, that he spoke to his father on the phone and that “he is in great spirits.”
A bullet ‘pierced the upper part of my ear’
Posting on his Truth Social media site about two and a half hours after the shooting, Trump said a bullet “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,” he said in the post. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.” “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” he added.
The attack was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It comes amid a deeply polarized 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.
Blood on Trump’s face
The Republican was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face. He quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.
‘Political violence has no place in our country’
President Joe Biden said Saturday that “everybody must condemn” the suspected assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. A White House official said Biden has spoken to his election rival on Saturday.
Addressing the nation about two hours after the shooting, Biden said he was relieved that Trump was reportedly doing well. “We cannot allow this to be happening,” he added. “The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of.” Biden, speaking without a teleprompter, said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination on the former president. “I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe.” “Political violence has no place in our country,” he added.
Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell said: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics.”
