WASHINGTON: In a shocking incident, Donald Trump was rushed off the stage covered in blood after a series of shots were fired at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
As his bangs grew back, Trump grimaced and put a hand to his right ear, where blood was clearly visible on his cheek and mouth.
Officers stormed the podium, surrounded the Republican candidate and roughly escorted him off the stage as Trump raised his fist toward the crowd in defiance.
The shocking incident will add to anxiety in a country already nervous about the prospect of unrest and political harassment in the run-up to the November election battle between Trump and President Joe Biden.
“The former president is safe,” the Secret Service said in a post on X.
His campaign said he was “doing well” and was being checked out at a medical facility.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and emergency services for their swift response during this heinous act. He is doing well and is being examined at a local medical facility. More details will be available soon,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.
Dead shooter
The suspected shooter was confirmed dead, along with that of a bystander, US media reported.
“Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people were killed, including an apparent shooter,” The Washington Post reported. A second bystander may also have been injured.
The apparent shooting took place shortly after Trump took the stage at his final campaign rally before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week.
The demonstration in Butler, Pennsylvania, turned into scenes of chaos as explosions and screams could be heard.
“Let me get my shoes,” Trump was heard saying into a microphone as security officers helped him to his feet.
Officers bundled the 78-year-old tycoon into a pickup truck as he once again raised his fist toward the crowd.
“This is an active crime scene,” Secret Service officers told reporters, ordering them to leave the area.
“We saw a lot of people falling down, looking confused. I heard the gunshots,” said John Yeykal of Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.
Biden received an initial briefing from the head of the Secret Service and the secretary of Homeland Security, the White House said.
American politicians reacted with shock to the incident.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said he was “horrified by what happened at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe.”
“Political violence has no place in our country,” he added.
Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell added: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be doing well after a despicable attack on a peaceful protest. Violence has no place in our politics.”
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted by quickly supporting Trump.
“I fully support President Trump and look forward to his speedy recovery,” Musk wrote on X, which he owns alongside carmaker Tesla, while sharing a video of Trump pumping his fist as he was escorted away.
Trump is “doing well” and is being examined at a medical center
The Republican presidential candidate is “doing well” and is being checked out at a medical facility, his campaign said.
“Trump thanks law enforcement and emergency services for their swift response during this heinous act. He is doing well and is being examined at a local medical facility. More details will be available soon,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.
The disturbance took place shortly after Trump took the stage at his final campaign rally before the Republican Party convention begins on Monday in Milwaukee.
'I was shot with a bullet'
In his first statement since the attack, former US President Trump said: “I was shot with a bullet that went through the top of my right ear.”
“I knew immediately something was wrong because I heard a whistling sound, gunshots, and immediately felt the bullet go through my skin,” Trump, who was not seriously injured, said on his Truth Social website.
“It is incredible that such an act could occur in our country.”
Biden says there is “no place for this kind of violence”
US President Joe Biden said there is “no place for this kind of violence” after his Republican opponent Trump was injured in a shooting at an election rally in Pennsylvania.
“I'm glad to hear he's safe and well,” Biden said in a statement, adding: “I'm praying for him and his family and everyone who was at the rally, as we await more information.”
He added: “There is no place for this kind of violence in the United States. We must come together as one nation to condemn it.”
'Horrified'
“We saw a lot of people falling down, looking confused. I heard the gunshots,” said John Yeykal of Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.
American politicians reacted with shock to the incident.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said he was “horrified by what happened at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe.”
“Political violence has no place in our country,” he added.
Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell added: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be doing well after a despicable attack on a peaceful protest. Violence has no place in our politics.”
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