Just hours after an attempt on his life, former President Donald Trump has issued a statement regarding the assassination attempt, confirming that he is alive and safe.
“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 on Truth Social. “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. 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. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” he continued. “I 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!”
During Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was in the middle of speaking to the crowd when shots rang out from a nearby building, and Trump put his hand to the side of his head and ducked down below the podium as Secret Service surrounded him.
When Trump reemerged, blood could be seen from the side of his head, as an injury that appeared consistent with a gunshot wound could be seen from his right ear.
It is believed that the shooter fired on Trump from a building across the road, approximately 125 yards away from the former president. It is unclear why this building was not secured by Secret Service ahead of the rally.
Additionally, new reports suggest that the shooter was seen by several bystanders crawling onto the roof of the building, with a rifle in full view, just minutes before the shooting occurred.
Joe Biden, who is in Delaware for the weekend, was briefed on the situation, according to a senior White House official, as reported by NBC News. Reports on X and elsewhere have suggested that Biden privately told donors “It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye,” several days prior on a phone call.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden posted on X several hours after the assassination attempt. “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 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.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
