Donald Trump’s campaign says he is “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after what law enforcement officials are treating as an apparent assassination attempt.
A statement says “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.” It adds that “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.
In a sign of how important Pennsylvania is for both parties, Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and first lady Jill Biden were all campaigning in the state Saturday.
Biden met virtually with members of the two largest Democratic caucuses on Capitol Hill as he looks to rebuild momentum for his reelection campaign, even as the number of Democrats calling for him to step aside increases.
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The Latest:
Son says Trump “in great spirits”
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said he just spoke to his 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,” Trump Jr. said in a statement.
Biden to deliver remarks to nation after apparent assassination attempt on Trump
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.
Shooter was outside Trump rally, and was killed by Secret Service, law enforcement officials say
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.
More condemnations of political violence
Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that “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.”
“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,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on the social platform X that his thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. “I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response,” he said. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
Shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as attempted assassination of ex-president, officials say
The shooting at former President Donald 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.
Condemnations of political violence
Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 while at a meeting with her constituents, released a statement saying “Political violence is terrifying. I know.”
“I’m holding former president Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart,” the Democrat said. “Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable — never.”
Similar statements are coming from other officials, including President George W. Bush, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In New York, a spokesperson for New York Mayor Eric Adams said that out of “an abundance of caution,” police increased their 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,” Fabien Levy said on the social platformX.
How it happened
As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear. People in the stands behind him appeared shocked.
Trump appeared to lower himself behind the lectern and the sounds — apparent gunshots — continued as Secret Service agents rushed the stage.
Trump’s microphone picked up the sound of people yelling “Get down, get down, get down” while at least three agents piled on top of him.
The apparent gunshot sound was heard again several times while agents were on him. People in the crowd screamed.
Someone’s voice was heard through the microphone asking “Are we good?” Secret Service agents in tactical gear stood on the stage, some looking out to the crowd.
A voice was heard saying, “Shooter’s down.” Then a voice said, “We’re clear” and “Let’s move.”
Agents stood up, surrounding Trump. As they moved with him off the stage, Trump lifted his right arm and fist into the air. Blood was seen on the right side of his face.
Shooter dead and rally attendee killed at Trump event in Pennsylvania, prosecutor tells AP
Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed.
Pennsylvania GOP candidate describes sudden shots, blood
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dave 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, 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.
Biden gets updated briefing. ATF says rally incident is “a top priority.”
President Joe Biden received an updated briefing on the incident at the Trump rally 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.
The Bureau of Alcoholo, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a statement: “ATF is responding to assist the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners. This is a top priority. We have no further comment at this time.”
Prayers and concerns from allies and rivals alike
North Dakota Sen. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on Trump’s 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.”
“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.”
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.
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.
Donald Trump whisked off stage in Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd
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.
Donald Trump escorted off stage by Secret Service during rally after loud noises ring out in crowd
Donald Trump has been escorted off stage by the Secret Service during his rally after loud noises rang out in the crowd.
Connecticut’s Hayes throws support behind Biden
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat seeking a fourth term in what’s expected to be one of the state’s closest congressional races this year, announced that she is backing Biden.
Hayes said he “has been the most effective legislator in my lifetime.”
“I’ll tell you all day, every day, I’ll take an old man over a con man,” she said.
It marked the first time she has publicly commented on her support for Biden since the debate.
Biden meets virtually with more lawmakers
Scrambling to lock in support from fellow Democrats following last month’s shaky debate performance , Biden had another virtual meeting with the New Democrat Coalition, a caucus made up of dozens of lawmakers.
Several of the coalition’s members, including Adam Smith of Washington, Brad Schneider of Illinois, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Greg Stanton of Arizona and Scott Peters of California, have called on Biden to quit the race.
Annie Kuster, the caucus chair, said in a statement that it was a candid discussion about “how to win over disaffected voters and boost turn out in swing districts.”
The statement added that members are united behind a shared goal of winning in November.
“Moving forward we expect President Biden to do everything in his power to demonstrate to the American people that Democrats will keep the White House and flip the House in November,” the statement said.
Minnesota Republican drops out of primary fight in key congressional race
Republicans have a straighter path to potential victory in what is expected to be Minnesota’s closest congressional race after GOP-endorsed candidate Tayler Rahm dropped out of a primary fight against the better-funded Joe Teirab, who has tacit backing from key House leaders.
Rahm said in a statement that he is shifting gears to serve as a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign in Minnesota, where Trump says he can defeat Biden after coming close to carrying the traditionally Democratic state in 2016.
That frees up Teirab to focus on incumbent Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in the highly competitive 2nd District, which includes suburban and rural areas south of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The seat is one of the best pickup opportunities for the narrow House Republican majority.
At Trump rally, confidence in their candidate
Kimberly Paruso, 37, drove over an hour to hear Trump speak at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. She homeschools her children and cares for her grandmother, who’s an amputee.
Paruso said she hopes Trump will pick Gen. Michael Flynn as his vice presidential running mate, but she doesn’t think it ultimately will matter.
She said of the election: “I think the energy’s so high for Trump, I don’t think nothing can stop us.”
Steve Schwartzmiller, 72, a retired controls engineer from Pittsburgh, said Biden’s recent debate performance was bad but ultimately immaterial.
“It didn’t help him, that’s for sure, but that’s not the final nail in his coffin,” he said. “It’s his policies. It’s where the country is right now.”
Biden addresses progressive lawmakers amid calls from some Democrats for him to leave the race
Biden is in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, but joined a virtual meeting with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, delivering remarks and taking questions, his campaign said.
Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal said in a statement that the conversation was “productive and engaging.”
“We spoke frankly to the President about our concerns and asked tough questions about the path forward. We appreciate his willingness to thoughtfully answer and address our Members,” Jayapal said.
She called the president a “champion for working people and families across the country” and said members are committed to doing everything in their power to defeat Trump.
The president, his reelection campaign and top advisers have been working to reassure nervous donors, supporters and lawmakers in the weeks since last month’s debate.
Harris: Biden is a fighter
Vice President Kamala Harris called Joe Biden a fighter as the president seeks to calm Democratic party discord after his dismal debate performance.
“He is the first to say, ‘When you get knocked down, you get back up,’” she said.
Speaking at an event hosted by a group that mobilizes Asian American voters, Harris said Trump “incites hate.”
“Donald Trump openly vowed that he will be a dictator on day one,” she said.
Harris also contrasted Biden with Trump on abortion, saying the president would sign a law returning abortion rights to their status before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Since then, more than 20 states have passed abortion restrictions, she said.
“We face a question — what kind of country do we want to live in?” Harris said.
As the vice president gave her speech, protesters in the room began yelling “Free Palestine!” She continued to speak.
The town hall in Philadelphia where Harris is speaking is filled with hundreds of AAPI voters
A few are wearing shirts that say “Stop Scapegoating Asian Americans.”
Democrat U.S. Rep.
