Photo: REBECCA DROKE / AFP / Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump is fine after an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday (July 13).
Trump was speaking to the crowd when several shots rang out, causing him to fall to the ground.
"And then the worst president in the history of our country took over. And look what happened to our country. Probably 20 million people [came in illegally]. And, you know, that's a little bit old, that chart... that chart's a couple of months old. And if you want to really see something that sad, take a look at what happened over..." Trump was saying as he was interrupted by the gunshots.
Secret Service agents rushed on stage to protect the former president, who was bleeding from his ear. They helped Trump to his feet as he defiantly raised his fist in the air, while the crowd started chanting, "USA!!"
He was then led to a waiting SUV and transported to a nearby medical center.
"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility," Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the former president, said.
The suspected shooter was killed by Secret Service agents. He was reportedly on the roof of a single-story building outside the security perimeter of the rally.
One attendee was killed, while two others were wounded and are in serious condition.
President Joe Biden briefly addressed the nation, saying there is "no place in America for this kind of violence."
"It's sick. It's sick. It's one of the reasons we have to unite this country," he said. "We cannot condone this."
Biden said that he tried to contact Trump but has not been able to speak with him.
"I tried to get a hold of Donald. He's with his doctors," Biden said. "I plan on talking to him, shortly, I hope."
Donald Trump addressed the assassination attempt in a post on Truth Social, in which he confirmed that a bullet "pierced the upper part of my right ear."
"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. 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. 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!" he wrote.