(The Daily Signal) — Former President Donald Trump appeared to have been injured when shots were fired at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh late Saturday afternoon.
Best footage I've seen so far.
From @NTDNews pic.twitter.com/GvQ4Tl348B— Noé Chartier (@NChartierET) July 13, 2024
Trump was quickly rushed off stage after the shots were fired. He appeared to be bleeding from his right ear. The former president gave fist pumps to the crowd as he was hustled away by a phalanx of Secret Service agents. He appeared to be saying “Fight!” as he was escorted away.
— Jessica Anderson (@JessAnderson2) July 13, 2024
Trump put out a statement on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
“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. 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!”
Trump was reportedly taken to a hospital for treatment. Secret Service put out a statement following the shooting. This was posted on X by Fox News’ Bill Melugin: “An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
The Secret Service subsequently stated that it had “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. … One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”
The Trump campaign said that Trump is OK and spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, according to the Hill, “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
BREAKING: The shooting at Donald Trump's rally is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president, law enforcement officials say. https://t.co/t9MrWYG8Av
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 13, 2024
Following the shooting, politicians, media, and other public figures commented and reported on what happened.
From President Joe Biden, who put out an official statement:
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.
Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Biden added in brief live remarks to reporters: “We cannot condone this,” adding: “Everybody must condemn it. Everybody.”
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—whose own father, then a U.S. senator from New York state and running for president, was slain by a political assassin in June 1967—wrote on X, the former Twitter:
Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 13, 2024
From Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas:
President Trump made his protectors stop. He then took the moment to stand right back up. In that moment of courage & clarity – he spoke for all of America. pic.twitter.com/nryPSvBjO0
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 13, 2024
From Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on X:
Praying for President Trump and everyone at the rally in Pennsylvania. May God watch over them all 🙏🏾
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) July 13, 2024
From entrepreneur Elon Musk:
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, said that Americans should be outraged at President Joe Biden for inciting violence against Trump.
Every American should be outraged at Joe Biden for inciting violence against Donald J. Trump. https://t.co/Q0nMReEA0d
— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) July 13, 2024
A man interviewed by a CBS reporter said that he attended to a man who was shot in the crowd.
An emergency room doctor I spoke with tried to save someone’s life in the crowd @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/OJvScwRLRk
— jake rosen (@JakeMRosen) July 13, 2024
Another rally attendee said that he saw the shooter in an interview with the BBC.
Man at Trump rally claims to have seen the shooter on a roof and to have seen the shooter killed by the secret service. BBC interview: pic.twitter.com/bT6eTtIMRx
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 13, 2024
Dave McCormack, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate who was in attendance at the rally, told Fox News Channel that he believed he heard “seven or eight shots” fired and said someone in the bleachers was also wounded.
McCormack, a graduate of West Point and a former Green Beret, said he was sitting to Trump’s right in the front row, and that he was shot from the left.
McCormack said the gunfire “sounded like a small-caliber” weapon, but “couldn’t tell if it was one or two.”
He called it “a very scary moment” and “very chaotic” and that Trump was “very lucky to be alive.
Peter Parisi contributed to this report. This is a breaking news story and may be updated. This article was originally published at The Daily Signal.
