Former President Donald Trump was the target of a shooting incident at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night. The event, which was part of his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, was disrupted by gunfire, leading to chaos and immediate action by the Secret Service to protect Trump.
According to reports, Trump was speaking to the crowd when the shooting began. He was seen dropping to the ground and being swarmed by security officers as gunshots rang out. Visuals showed Trump with blood on his face, particularly around his ear. The Secret Service agents quickly whisked him away to a waiting car, taking approximately two minutes to evacuate him from the scene.
The shooter, who was not an attendee at the rally, was shot dead by the Secret Service agents. A member of the audience and the shooter both died in the incident, while another spectator is in serious condition. The incident has been classified as an attempted assassination, marking the first such attempt since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and expressed his gratitude that Trump was safe. Biden condemned the violence, stating that there is no place for it in America and urging unity in the face of such incidents. Former President Barack Obama also condemned the shooting, emphasizing the importance of civility and respect in politics.
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The incident has sent shockwaves across the political landscape, with many leaders and organizations expressing their support for Trump and condemning the violence. The FBI and other intelligence agencies are investigating the shooting, and the Biden campaign has paused all messaging to supporters and is working to pull down its television ads.
Trump himself has not publicly commented on the nature of the attack, but he did thank the authorities for their quick action in protecting him. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo of Trump with blood on his face, raising his fist in defiance, with the caption “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”
The rally was scheduled to take place amidst ongoing turmoil within the Democratic Party regarding President Biden’s effectiveness as a candidate. The incident has further heightened tensions and underscored the need for unity and civility in American politics.