Former US President Donald Trump was injured after shots were fired at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
As he stood before the gathered audience, a noticeable trace of blood could be seen on Trump’s ear and face as the bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.
White House spokesperson issued a statement that the suspect and at least one attendee were killed while two other were injured during the incident.
Donald Trump was presenting a chart depicting border crossing statistics during his last rally before the commencement of the Republican National Convention when loud bangs echoed through the audience. Trump was observed reaching towards his neck with his right hand.
Swiftly, he sought cover behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed onto the stage amidst screams from the crowd of several thousand attendees. The loud noise persisted while agents attended to him on stage.
Law enforcement initiated the process of clearing the fairgrounds soon after Trump’s departure from the podium after and security escorted Trump away from the stage, as he raised his fist in a gesture to the crowd.
Giving updates on the situation, a secret service spokesperson issued a statement on social media. “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,” said Anthony Guglielmi on X (formerly Twitter).

Later, Trump himself released a statement saying he is “fine” and that he is undergoing a check-up at a medical facility. Recounting being shot at the rally, he said, “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,” he added in a statement on social media platform Truth Social.
AP sources have reported that the incident will be investigated as an assassination attempt on the former US President.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump said on his Truth Social site. He added that he was not seriously injured.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the former president, released a statement expressing gratitude to the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel during this incident. “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” said Cheung.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has been thoroughly briefed on the incident. In a later statement he was “glad to hear Trump is safe”. Biden expressed his concern and offered prayers for Donald Trump, his Republican rival. In a statement on social media condemning the attack, he said, ” 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,” he said.

Vice president Kamala Harris echoed president Biden in her statement. She said, “I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania. Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Former US President Barack Obama, who preceded Trump also condemned the incident on social media. He said, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”