CNN initially reported Saturday's assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump as if the ex-president had simply fallen off a stage, a characterization that quickly earned condemnation from conservative lawmakers and those commenting on social media.
“Secret Service rushes Trump off stage after he falls during rally,” read CNN's headline shortly after news broke that shots may have been fired at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.
The headline angered conservative lawmakers, as well as others on social media, who described the headline as a “conscious deception” and “disgraceful.”
“Falling down at a rally? Is this a real headline? This is embarrassing,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wrote on X on Friday night.
SHOOTING AT TRUMP RALLY BEING INVESTIGATED AS POSSIBLE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump receives help from US Secret Service personnel after gunshots were heard during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
“Even in a time as horrible as this, they just can't help themselves,” Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio posted.
While addressing the crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night, Trump was seen roughly grabbing his right ear before crouching down and falling to the ground on the stage. Secret Service personnel quickly surrounded Trump before he was escorted off the stage, his right ear covered in blood.
FAITH LEADERS SHARE URGENT PRAYERS FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AFTER SHOOTING AT PENNSYLVANIA PROTEST
Before being ejected, Trump appeared to shout “Fight!” while raising his fist toward the crowd to indicate he was fine.
The shocking assassination attempt came just two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump is set to officially become the party's presidential nominee.
Donald Trump Jr. also criticized CNN's live coverage Saturday night, criticizing the network for focusing on Trump saying “fight!” to the crowd after the shooter wounded him. Trump was taken to a local hospital before traveling to New Jersey.
WHO WAS THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS? WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
“Someone tried to assassinate my father tonight and that's what CNN is focusing on. These people are vile,” Trump Jr. posted.
The headline was “published before we had 100% confirmation of the details surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Trump,” a CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The article was updated as more details about the assassination attempt emerged.
SHOTS FIRED DURING TRUMP RALLY
Other commentators and media critics also criticized the Washington Post for a headline that read: “Trump escorted out after loud noises at Pennsylvania rally.”
TRUMP JR. SAYS HIS FATHER IS 'IN GREAT SPIRITS' IN HOSPITAL AFTER SHOTS DURING STALLIONED RALLY
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures with his bloodied face as multiple gunshots are heard during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
Fox News confirmed that the shooting is being investigated as an attempted murder. The shooter was killed by the Secret Service and identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania. A motive has not yet been revealed.
One protester died.
Attendees disperse after gunshots were heard during a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump at Butler Farm Show Inc. on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump collapsed before being taken away by the Secret Service with visible wounds to the side of his head. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter and one audience member are dead and another was wounded. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
“The FBI has assumed the role of lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of the incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred today in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the FBI said in a statement Saturday night that was obtained by Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The office added: “Special agents of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office “We responded immediately, including members of the crisis response team and evidence response technicians. We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, along with our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement.”
