Former President Donald Trump defiantly fist pumped to a crowd of his supporters as he was escorted off the stage after shots were fired at his rally in Pennsylvania.
Inspired by the former president's gesture, the crowd broke out in a chant of 'USA! USA!'
Although it's unclear if the former president was struck, Trump's ear appeared to be covered in blood as he was whisked off the stage. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said: 'I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.'
There also appeared to be streaks of blood smeared across his face.
In an official statement, Trump's campaign told supporters that he is 'fine.' The former president is now being checked at a medical facility.
Secret Security was quick to respond after the shots were fired and immediately surrounded the former president to insulate and shield him from more gunfire.
Soldiers stalked across the stage with their guns drawn.
The heroic agents ushered Trump off the stage and to his motorcade, maintaining a perimeter around the former president.
The shooter and a rally attendee were both killed at the event, the Butler County District Attorney reported.
Former President Donald Trump fist pumped to a crowd of his supporters as he was escorted off the stage after shots were fired at his rally
Although it's unclear if the former president was struck, Trump's ear appeared to be covered in blood as he was whisked off the stage
Although it's unclear if the former president was struck, Trump's ear appeared to be covered in blood as he was whisked off the stage
Initially dazed, Trump told agents, 'let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes' as he got up from the ground.
'I got you, sir. I got you,' one agent said, helping the former president to his feet.
With his arms around some agents, Trump walked toward the end of the stage.
Before leaving the stage, Trump paused in front of the stairs and defiantly shook his fist before the crowd.
The crowd, energized by Trump's fist pumping, broke out in a chant of 'USA! USA!'
The former president also appeared to have shouted 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' to his supporters before he was ushered off the stage.
As Trump was escorted toward a waiting black vehicle, the security personnel held their hands above his head to ensure he was safe.
In the background, some of the crowd cheered on the president, while some wailed in horror.
After the shots were fired in the apparent assassination attempt at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump and the whole crowd dropped to the ground.
Before he dropped to the ground, Trump clapped his hand to his ear like he had been struck.
After Trump dropped, the secret service agents piled on top of the former president to guard him from bullets.
Trump's MAGA hat fell off as he ducked down behind the podium. A conscientious secret service agent made sure to pick the hat up and take it with him.
Before he dropped to the ground, Trump clapped his hand to his ear like he had been struck
After the apparent shots were fired to the left of the stage at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump and the whole crowd dropped to the ground
Initially, screams of panic and horror swept across the crowd after there were at least five gun shots. The piercing shriek of a woman rang out as Trump dropped behind the podium.
Then Trump stood up amid a press of secret service agents, who led him toward the staircase.
But before descending from the stage, Trump looked to the crowd and pumped his fist vigorously.
Although some cries of horror persisted, thousands of supporters broke out in a chant of 'USA! USA!'
Then Trump was ushered toward his motorcade, but before he got into the vehicle, he turned and looked toward the crowd and shook his fist in the air.
The crowd roared with enthusiasm.
After Trump climbed into the vehicle, soldiers and security agents stood around the car with their guns drawn.
Later, Trump thanked the Secret Service for their swift reaction. In a post on Truth Social, the former president wrote:
'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.'
Trump also described the moment he was apparently struck with the bullet.
Before descending from the stage, Trump looked to the crowd and pumped his fist vigorously
'I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.'
He added: 'Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.'
At the time the shots rang out, Trump was displaying a chart of border crossing numbers.
The rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, is now officially a crime scene. The shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt.
In a press statement, Anthony Gugliemi, the Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, said that at approximately 6:15 pm, 'a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.'
Gugliemi continued: 'US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated.'
The statement concluded by confirming that one spectator was killed and that two spectators were critically injured.
Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said:
Initially, screams of panic and horror swept across the crowd after there were at least five gun shots
'President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.'
He continued: 'He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.'
President Biden, leaving a Mass in Rehoboth Beach, told reporters 'no,' when asked if he'd been briefed on the incident.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris's office said that she'd received an 'initial briefing' on the situation.
Later, the White House said that President Biden had now received an 'initial briefing.'
Beginning at 8:13pm, Biden held a press conference during which he said that everybody must 'condemn' this kind of violence
The president called the shooting 'sick' and said we 'cannot condone this.' Biden also expressed his desire to speak with Biden directly.
When asked if he thought the shooting was part of an assassination attempt, Biden said he had an 'opinion' but lacked any facts.
Secret Security was quick to respond after shots were fired and immediately surrounded the president to insulate him and shield him from more potential gunfire
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate David McCormick, who was sitting in the front row at the rally, said that it seemed like someone behind him was shot.
'All of a sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot,' McCormick told Politico.
As a former president, Trump enjoys Secret Service protection for life under federal law.
Because of Trump's identity as the presumptive Republican nominee, he receives additional protective assets.
There's already been an outpouring of support from Republican leaders.
'Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us,' Former Vice President Mike wrote on X.com.
Speaker Mike Johnson also posted on the social media platform that he was praying for Trump.
Trump's oldest child, Donald Trump Jr., took to X to praise his father:
'He'll never stop fighting to Save America.'
Like her father, Ivanka Trump expressed her appreciation of the quick work of the secret service, tweeting that she was 'grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions.'
At the end of her post, Trump's eldest daughter wrote: 'I love you Dad, today and always.'
Before leaving the stage, Trump defiantly shook his fist before the crowd
Former President Barack Obama released a statement condemning the act of violence.
In a statement, he wrote: 'There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.'
Obama continued: 'We should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.'
He added: 'Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.'
Other former presidents made similar statements.
Former President George W. Bush said: 'Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life.'
Bush concluded: 'We commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.'
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the incident, saying: 'Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable.'
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned the act, writing on X.com:
'Any violence against a fellow American is disgusting and unacceptable. We must express political disagreements peacefully, civilly and respectfully.'
She continued: 'I am praying for the safety and health of former President Trump and all who are attending this event in Pennsylvania.'
Initially dazed, Trump said, 'let me get my shoes on,' before the security detail conducted him off the stage
Speaker of the house Hakeem Jeffries also spoke out, writing in a statement:
'My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.'
The violence comes just ahead of the Republican National Convention. Before the incident in Butler, Trump was expected to name his running mate in the coming days.
Possible Trump VP nominees have already expressed their concern over Trump's well-being.
North Dakota Senator Doug Burgum wrote: 'We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies. Today he showed it.'
Florida Senator Marco Rubio responded to the horrific incident by tweeting a picture of Trump at the rally, blood on his face and his fist in the air. Behind Trump, the American Flag billows in the air.
'God protected President Trump,' Rubio wrote.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott similarly tweeted:
Trump's MAGA hat appeared to fall off as he dropped down behind the podium. A conscientious secret service agent made sure to pick the hat up
'Praying for President Trump and everyone at the rally in Pennsylvania. May God watch over them all.'
Elon Musk also gave a full-throated endorsement of Trump on X.com.
'I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.'
Musk also wrote: 'Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt.'
