America is no short of Presidents who died — or rather were killed — for their unpleasing ideas. While Donald Trump is not the President right now, he was shot in the ear during a Saturday campaign rally. The shot left the Republican presidential candidate’s face streaked with blood, as his audience watched in shock.
The security detail sprang into action immediately after the attack. Many celebrities and leaders have come forth to comment on the matter. Here’s what happened and what the internet is saying about it.
Donald Trump Injured In An Alleged Assassination Attempt
Donald Trump was injured in a gunfire attack that he seemingly missed by a very close shave. The bullet, perhaps intended to hit him in the head, touched his ear and passed by. Still injured and with a streak of blood on his face, Trump emerged moments after, pumping his fist in the air and mouthing the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!” in a dramatic display.
The 78-year-old former president had just begun his speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, when gunshots rang out. He instinctively grabbed his right ear and dropped to his knees behind the podium as Secret Service agents swarmed him. Moments later, he got up and showed strength before agents rushed him to a black SUV.
8 shots fired at Trump today during Rally in Butler, PA
— Ashley Fox (@AFoxTweets) July 13, 2024
The shooter is dead. One audience member is dead. Another audience member is in critical condition.#Trump #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/LbETrlPfvl
The incident occurred less than four months before the November 5 election. Trump faces a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden while several polls suggest that the two candidates will have a tight race.
According to Reuters, the Secret Service confirmed the shooter was dead, one rally attendee was killed, and two others were injured in what is being investigated as an “assassination attempt“. Law enforcement officials have tentatively identified a suspect but have not released a name or motive.
Donald Trump took to social media to confirm the incident. “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” he later stated on his Truth Social platform. “Much bleeding took place.”
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Joe Biden, Elon Musk React To Attack On Donald Trump
The attack came as a shock for many across the globe. While Republicans have all condemned it, demanding a strict investigation, President Biden also took to social media to speak against the attack.
“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,” he wrote.
I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024
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…
“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 added.
Tech mogul Elon Musk also chimed in, criticizing the security failures, and also evetually ended up endorsing Trump. “Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt,” Musk wrote on X.
Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
The shooting marks the first such attack on a U.S. president or major party candidate since the 1981 attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. It has also raised immediate concerns about the effectiveness of Secret Service protections for former presidents. The case is under investigation.
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