A shooting at Donald Trump‘s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.
A shooter is dead and an attendee was killed. Trump’s campaign says he is “fine” after being whisked off the stage and is being checked out at a local medical facility.
What to know:
- What happened: Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear. It’s still not clear yet whether Trump was struck by gunfire or was injured as he was pulled to the ground by agents.
- What we know about the shooter: Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.
- Biden’s response: In a televised address, the president said “everybody must condemn” the attack, he is relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well”. His campaign said it’s pausing all messaging to supporters and is working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible.
JUST IN: Secret Service says one spectator killed, two critically injured after attacker fired ‘multiple shots’ at Trump rally
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Congressional leaders have been briefed on the shooting
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office said he has been briefed on the latest developments from the shooting in Pennsylvania.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said earlier on social media that he had been briefed by law enforcement.
Trump, in his social media post, also thanked the U.S. Secret Service and law endorsement for their “rapid response” and also extended his 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,” he said.
JUST IN: Trump says in social media post he was ‘shot with a bullet’ in upper part of right ear, nothing yet known about shooter
Trump says he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
He writes on his Truth Social site that he, “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!”
Pelosi: ‘I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society’
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband Paul Pelosi was badly injured in a home invasion in 2022, condemned the attack in a post on X.
“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,” she said. “I thank God that former President Trump is safe.”
Harris: ‘Violence such as this has no place in our nation’
Vice President Harris said in a statement she has been briefed on the shooting at Trump’s rally, and that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, 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,” said Harris.
“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.”
Another rally attendee was taken to the hospital, Butler County district attorney tells CNN
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CNN that in addition to the spectator who was killed, another attendee was taken to a local hospital and in serious condition.
“The shooter is dead,” Goldinger said.
He said the shooter was outside the rally grounds, but he didn’t give additional information about where the shooter was.
“Quite frankly I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds and I think that’s something that we’re going to have to figure out — how he got there,” Goldinger told CNN.
WATCH: Biden’s full remarks on the Trump rally shooting
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Biden: ‘I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts’
Biden says he is 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.
The FBI said in a statement that it was on the scene and working with the Secret Service on the investigation
Biden says ‘everybody must condemn’ the suspected assassination attempt on former President Trump
Biden said he was relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well.” He pledged to update the public either later Saturday on whether they speak, as well as additional details about the investigation.
Biden: ‘There’s no place in America for this type of violence’
“It’s sick. It’s sick,” he said during a news briefing.
Biden says he has tried to get ahold of Trump but hopes on talking to him shortly.
Biden’s press conference has begun
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Donald Trump Jr. says his father ‘is in great spirits’
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., says he just spoke to his father on the phone and that “he is in great spirits.”
“He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” he said of his father in a statement.
WATCH: Scene after apparent gunfire at rally
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd. The campaign says he is “being checked out at a local medical facility.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, posted on X that he and his staff are in contact with security planning coordinators ahead of the Republican National Convention, which is set to begin Monday in Milwaukee.
“We cannot be a country that accepts political violence of any kind—that is not who we are as Americans,” Evers said, also extending “thoughts” to President Trump and praising first responders.
Biden will be delivering remarks from the White House’s emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Del., which is set up whenever the president travels to allow him to deliver remarks to the country in a matter of minutes.
Biden campaign to pause TV ads, supporter messaging
After the shooting at Trump’s rally the Biden campaign is pausing all messaging to supporters and is working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible, the campaign said.
JUST IN: Biden to deliver remarks to nation after apparent assassination attempt on Trump
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JUST IN: Biden says he is ‘grateful’ Trump is doing well after shooting at rally, ‘no place for this kind of violence in America’
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump campaign advisor publishes then deletes social media post
Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita responded to the shooting with a post on X.
“well of course they tried too keep him off the ballot , they tried to put him in jail and now you see this …,” he wrote.
The post was later deleted.
The shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team and killed, according to two officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation publication.
The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the protectee.
Obama: ‘There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy’
Former President Barack Obama said in a statement, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.” He added that while details were still scarce, “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.”
JUST IN: Law enforcement officials say shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as attempted assassination of ex-president
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The shooting at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.
Two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation publication.
The shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents, the official said.
Politicians continue to condemn political violence
- “Political violence is terrifying. I know,” said former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 while at a meeting with her constituents. “I’m holding former president Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable—never.”
- House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on social media: “This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”
- Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said on X, formally Twitter, that political violence is “absolutely unacceptable” and “I wish Donald Trump and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”
New York City will increase police presence
A spokesperson for New York Mayor Eric Adams said that out of “an abundance of caution,” the city’s police department will increase its presence across the city, including at Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street.
“While we are surging these resources, we want to be very clear that we see no nexus to NYC at this time,” said Fabien Levy on X. Levy said Adams “has been briefed on the incident involving former President Trump in Pennsylvania & continues to get updates.”
JUST IN: Shooter dead and rally attendee killed at Trump event in Pennsylvania, Butler County district attorney tells AP
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The White House says Vice President Kamala Harris has received an “initial briefing” on the incident at the Trump rally.
Standard rally security
Secret Service agents and officers, assisted by local law enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration, are meant to screen all attendees as they enter a rally site. The Secret Service also deploys counter-snipers and a counter-assault team with the president and major party nominees to address any threats.
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate David McCormick, who was sitting in the front row, told Politico that it appeared someone behind him was shot.
“All the sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot,” McCormick said. “There’s lots of blood, and then the Secret Service were all over President Trump.”
Trump’s Secret Service protection
Trump, as a former president, retains Secret Service protection for life under federal law. As the presumptive Republican nominee who is frequently in the public eye, he received added protective assets.
Here’s where Trump’s rally was taking place
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Biden received an updated briefing on the Trump rally incident from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secretary Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
Buttigieg calls nation to ‘completely and unequivocally reject all political violence’
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called this a “horrible moment” in a statement Saturday and said he was encouraged to hear Trump was doing well.
He added that “an entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence.”
IN PHOTOS: Trump rushed off stage
Prayers also pour in from political rivals
Prayers for the former president are also coming from his political opponents.
“I am 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,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer in a statement.
“We should all condemn what happened today and I am hoping for the health of the former president and everyone else at the rally,” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy posted on the social platform X.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a post on X that his “thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump” and expressed thanks “for the decisive law enforcement response.”
Possible running mates express concern
North Dakota Sen. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on his shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president.
Rubio shared an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words, “God protected President Trump.”
Musk posts video of Trump surrounded by security
Elon Musk posted on X — the social platform that he owns — video of Trump surrounded by his security detail adding, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
Trump son posts photo of Trump, bloody and fist raised
Trump’s new eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo of Trump, his first raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America ” on the social platform X.
Pennsylvania governor condemns violence against any political party or leader
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had been briefed on the situation and condemned the incident, saying that “violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable.”
White House says President Joe Biden has received an ‘initial briefing’ on incident at Trump rally
Trump says he is ‘fine’ in statement and says he is being checked at a medical facility
Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
The former president and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday 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 were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade has since left the venue. His condition was not immediately known.
Trump says he is ‘fine’ in statement and says he is being checked at a medical facility
Trump ducked, and agents dove on top of him
Right before the apparent gunfire, Trump was showing a chart of border crossing numbers and said, “Take a look at what happened,” when pops could be heard and Trump’s hand went right to his right ear and he ducked down as Secret Service agents dove on top of him.
The crowd dove down and screams could be heard.
After apparent gunshots, Trump seen with what appeared to be blood on face
Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
Trump 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.
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade has left the venue. His condition was not immediately known.
Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage.
The U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies did not immediately respond to messages.
Leaving Mass in Rehoboth Beach, President Joe Biden simply responded, “No,” when asked if he’d been briefed about the incident.
Republican leaders react
“Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us,” former vice president Mike Pence said via the social platform X.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also posted on X that he was praying for Trump.
As Secret Service agents led Trump offstage, he pumped his first repeatedly and forcefully in the air toward the crowd as the supporters chanted “USA!”
By The Associated Press
Loud bangs were heard to the left of the stage. Trump, and the whole crowd, dropped. Silence, fear, then police began vacating the fairgrounds.
Trump whisked off stage after apparent gunshots at rally
By The Associated Press
Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
Trump 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.
His motorcade has left the venue. His condition was not immediately known.
