Donald Trump Shot in right ear at Campaign Rally, Shooter Dead
Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempt at Campaign Rally
Incident at Butler, Pennsylvania
In a shocking incident that has heightened political tensions ahead of the US presidential election, former President Donald Trump, 78, was struck in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally on Saturday. The event, held in Butler, Pennsylvania, saw Trump being rushed off stage with blood on his face after the shooting. The shooter and a bystander were killed, while two spectators were critically injured.
Immediate Aftermath
Trump, the Republican candidate, raised a defiant fist to the crowd as he was swiftly escorted to safety. He later remarked, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.” President Joe Biden, who is set to face Trump in November’s deeply polarized election, condemned the incident as “sick” and stated that “there is no place in America for this kind of violence.” Biden later spoke to Trump, according to the White House.
Donald Trump Shot in right ear at Campaign Rally, Shooter Dead
Assailant’s Identity and FBI Involvement
Unconfirmed images surfaced, showing the body of the assailant on the roof of a low building from where he had fired, causing chaos among Trump supporters. The FBI confirmed that the shooting is being treated as an “assassination attempt against our former president, Donald Trump.” The shooter has been “tentatively identified” and is believed to have acted alone, but further details are withheld.
Eyewitness Accounts
Multiple witnesses reported seeing the gunman before the shooting and alerted authorities. However, Butler police only mentioned responding to several reports of suspicious activity without providing more information.
Details of the Attack
Trump, donning a red “Make America Great Again” cap, had just begun speaking at his final rally before the Republican National Convention when the shots were fired. He clutched his ear, with visible blood, before ducking as Secret Service agents swarmed the stage and escorted him to safety. Trump later described the experience on his Truth Social network, stating, “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”
Global Reactions and Political Fallout
The attack prompted global outrage, with leaders from Britain, Israel, Japan, and other countries condemning the violence. President Biden cut short a weekend trip to his Delaware beach house to return to Washington and will receive an updated briefing from security officials on Sunday morning. The incident has further stoked political tensions, with some Republicans blaming Biden and right-wing conspiracy theories circulating on social media. Potential Trump vice presidential pick J.D. Vance accused Biden’s “rhetoric” of directly leading to the attack.
Trump’s Determination
Despite the incident, Trump’s campaign confirmed that he would still attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee after undergoing a precautionary hospital checkup. The convention is now expected to be dominated by the shooting, which caused panic and confusion among attendees.
Historical Context of Political Violence
The United States has a history of political violence. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and his brother Bobby Kennedy was shot dead in 1968. President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981. This latest attack on Trump underscores the persistent threat of violence in American politics.
Conclusion
US political figures, including former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, have condemned the attack, emphasizing that there is no place for violence in politics.