Assassination Attempt on Former US President Donald Trump at a Rally

Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where shots were fired, prompting his immediate evacuation from the stage by US Secret Service agents.

Footage from the scene captured Trump reacting as gunshots were heard, clutching his right ear and then being swiftly escorted offstage amidst chaos. He later confirmed via his Truth Social network that he had been struck in the “upper part” of his right ear by a bullet, causing significant bleeding.

The assailant, armed with a rifle, was fatally shot by Secret Service officers on the scene. Sadly, one bystander was killed, and two others were critically injured in the incident.

Republican Congressman Ronnie Jackson revealed that his nephew sustained a minor neck injury during the shooting and received treatment at the venue.

Law enforcement sources reported that the attacker had fired from an elevated structure several hundred meters away from the rally, leading authorities to treat the incident as an assassination attempt. The FBI has launched an active investigation into the attack.

President Biden, speaking from Delaware, condemned the violence, emphasizing that there is no place for such acts in American democracy. He confirmed having spoken with Trump following the incident, expressing relief that the former president was not seriously harmed.

Leaders across the political spectrum, including former President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, joined Biden in denouncing the violence and offering support to the victims.

Trump, who was expected to announce his vice-presidential running mate at the rally, remains in contention for the Republican presidential nomination, facing a close race against President Biden in the upcoming election.