DONALD Trump said he was shot and felt the bullet rip through his skin as he broke his silence on the suspected assassination attempt against him at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Trump said he immediately knew something was wrong and hit the deck after a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.
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The former president thanked US Secret Service and law enforcement officials for their swift response to the gunfire that erupted at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 33 miles north of Pittsburgh.
“I want to 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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
“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 heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Gunfire erupted at around 6:15 pm, minutes after Trump began his remarks at a campaign event in Butler.
Shocking video showed the moment gunshots were heard being fired as Trump was seen grimacing, grabbing his ear, and hitting the deck.
Secret Service agents rushed to the stage, forming a human shield around the former president.
Blood was seen pouring from Trump’s right ear as he raised his fist to the crowd before being whisked away from the stage by federal agents.
I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
Donald Trump
Nathan Rybner, a Republican committeeman from Erie County, Pennsylvania, said he was sitting in a section of seats to the right of where Trump was standing onstage and heard a series of loud pops that sounded like firecrackers.
“I heard what I thought was firecrackers. It did not sound like a typical gunshot,” Rybner told The New York Times.
A shocked eyewitness described in vivid detail how he apparently saw a man with a rifle bear crawling on the roof of a nearby building of Trump’s rally.
The man told BBC he alerted Secret Service agents of the man multiple times before the shots rang out.
Another eyewitness, an emergency room doctor in attendance at the rally, revealed how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
“I heard the shots. I thought it was firecrackers, to begin with,” he told CBS News.
The man, who had blood splattered across his white USA shirt, added: “Somebody over there was screaming, ‘He’s been shot. He’s been shot.’
“So I made my way over. I said I’m an emergency department physician. Let me help you.”
He went on: “The guy had spun around and was jammed between the benches and had a headshot here. There was lots of blood, and he had brain matter.”
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‘ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT’
The Secret Service is treating the shooting as a possible assassination attempt on Trump, 78.
The federal agency confirmed an unidentified shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated rooftop toward the stage where Trump was delivering remarks to supporters.
Officials said the shooter was positioned outside the Secret Service security perimeter, approximately 200 to 300 yards away from the event.
At least eight shots were fired from an AR-15-style rifle, according to federal officials.
The shooting left one rally spectator dead, and two others were injured critically, the federal agency said.
The suspect was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper who was also perched on top of a nearby rooftop near the rally stage.
The FBI and The Department of Justice have opened an investigation into the shooting.
TRUMP FAMILY SPEAKS OUT
The shooting has sent shockwaves across the country as lawmakers in major cities have increased police presence.
Don Jr. said his father is in “great spirits” and receiving medical assistance at a hospital.
“I just spoke to my father on the phone and he is in great spirits. He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” Don Jr. wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Eric Trump called his father the “toughest man I ever met,” according to Page Six.
Ivanka Trump broke her silence hours after the shooting, writing on X, “Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always.”
Tiffany Trump wrote, “The outpouring of love and support for my dad is deeply appreciated.
“Thank you God for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer.
“God bless the secret service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened. Please include the families of the victims in your prayers.
“As you saw today, my father is a fighter and he will continue to fight for you and the USA.”
DONALD TRUMP TO ATTEND RNC
The Trump campaign said the former president is still expected to attend the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, where he is expected to be named the party’s official nominee for the upcoming presidential election.
“As was communicated earlier this evening, President Trump is doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action,” the campaign said in a statement.
“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States.
“As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.”
President Joe Biden addressed the American public from Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, where he is staying for the weekend, condemning the apparent assassination attempt and praising the quick work of the Secret Service.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” he said, adding, “It’s sick, it’s sick.”
Biden said that he was in contact with the Secret Service and that he was hoping to speak to Donald Trump later this evening.
The president is set to return to the White House ahead of schedule tonight following the shooting.
Hours after his remarks, President Biden said he was able to communicate with Trump.
Details about what the two presidential candidates spoke about were not immediately released.
Trump Rally Timeline
Donald Trump was reportedly shot at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday afternoon.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.