Former President Donald Trump has issued his first social media post after surviving an assassination attempt earlier today.
The former president was shot at while speaking at Butler, Pennsylvania today. After several shots were heard, Trump dropped to the floor of the stage as Secret Service rushed to protect him. More shots were heard and after some time Secret Service helped Trump to his feet. He appeared to have been hit in the ear by a bullet.
Trump then held his fist in the air as he was escorted offstage by Secret Service.
The shooter, along with one attendee, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Several hours after the incident, Trump took to Truth Social to comment on the assassination attempt and extend his condolences to the innocent bystander who was shot. "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," Trump wrote. "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." Just IN 🚨: President Trump posts for the first time since today’s assassination attempt, confirmed his right ear was pierced by a bullet. pic.twitter.com/IQELlRwOP9
"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," Trump added.
— Anthony Cabassa (IWA) (@AnthonyCabassa_) July 14, 2024
The former president then confirmed he was shot in the ear during the assassination attempt.
"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 wrote. "Much bleeding took place, so l realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
CBS News reporter Jake Rosen shared a video of an emergency room doctor – dressed in a red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat and a bloodstained white T-shirt with the phrase ‘USA’ – who rushed to assist the man who had been hit.
“I heard the shot. … I made my way over and said ‘I’m an emergency department physician. Let me help you,’” the man says in the clip. “The guy had spun around and was jammed between the benches.”
“He has a headshot here,” said the doctor, pointing above his left ear. “There was lots of blood and he had brain matter. … The people there were very helpful.”
President Biden issued a statement over an hour after the incident.
"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," Biden's statement read. "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." 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…
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024
"There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it," he added.
