Washington (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Donald Trump Trump survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally. The shooter was killed, and Trump continued his campaign, expressing defiance and gratitude.
What happened at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally?
Former President Donald Trump was the target of an obvious assassination shot on Saturday 13 July 2024 at a Pennsylvania rally, days before he was to acquire the Republican nomination for a third time. After Trump took the podium in Butler and started his speech, at least five shots rang out as the ex-U.S. President was talking about an increase in illicit border crossings.
In one of the videos of the happening, Trump is seen clutching his right ear behind the stage before Secret Service agents run toward him and shield him. “Get down,” the agents stated as Trump fell to the ground as gunfire set off panic. A minute later, he appeared with his face lined with blood. He pumped his fist in the air in a display of defiance, mugging the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!” before the Secret Service ran him to a black SUV.
The U.S. Secret Service, which delivers former Presidents with lifetime security, stated Trump was safe while the presumed shooter was killed. The episode marks the first attempt to assassinate a President or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was fired in 1981. Coming less than four months before the November 5 election and just days before Trump was to accept the Republican nomination for a third time to set up a potential rematch with President Joe Biden, the incident is likely to have a far-reaching impact on the presidential race and domestic politics.
Who was the shooter in the Trump assassination attempt?
The suspected shooter, who shot Trump from a raised position outside the rally venue, was killed at the location. The suspect has been recognised as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement reportedly retrieved an AR-style rifle at the scene. No motive has been specified so far in the assassination try, the FBI has said and added that the investigation is proceeding.
Crooks was a documented Republican, according to the state’s voter records. However, he had provided $15 to a progressive political action committee in 2021, the day President Joe Biden took over.
What was the reaction from rally attendees?
An eyewitness recounted how a man next to him was shot dead during the alleged assassination endeavour on the Republican presidential candidate. “I attended several gunshots. The man beside me mourned a gunshot to the head, was immediately killed and dropped to the bottom of the bleachers. Another woman looked like she contact hit in the forearm or hand,” the man informed NBC News. He stated it seemed the target was “in the way of the shots between whoever was shooting the gun and the President.”
Republican Dan Meuser was in the front row with other elected officeholders and candidates when the shells rang out. “It was pretty clear after the first pop that it was gunfire,” he informed AP. “It was just a lot of mayhem, and just a terrible, tragedy, a terrible shame.”
Rico Elmore, vice-chairman of the Beaver County Republican Party, was posing in a section for special guests, confronting President Trump, when he heard what expressed like firecrackers. “So, everyone hesitated — and it was like, no, these are genuine shots. So I yelled, ‘Get down!’” Mr Elmore witnessed Secret Service agents assisting Trump off the stage and then heard somebody from his left calling for a doctor. He took off his tie and jumped a fence, but when he reached the person, Mr Elmore witnessed he had been shot in the head. Mr. Elmore stated he held the victim’s head but it was too late. “I mean, it was a horror,” Mr. Elmore expressed.
How did Trump react after the shooting?
After the happening, Trump departed for New Jersey to spend the night at his personal gold club. He reported on his Truth Social site that he, “knew immediately that something was amiss in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and instantly felt the bullet ripping via the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I learned then what was happening…” He thanked the Secret Service and law endorsement for their “rapid response”.
Trump also spread his condolences to the family of the individual killed at the rally. “It is incredible that such an action can take place in our nation. Nothing is understood at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” he stated. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., stated his father was “in great spirits.” “He will never cease fighting to save America, no matter what the extreme left throws at him,” Trump Jr. stated in a statement.
What did President Biden say about the incident?
The White House stated President Biden also talked with former President Donald Trump. “I’m grateful to hear that [Trump is] safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information … There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” the U.S. President stated in a statement.
Vice-President Kamala Harris stated she was “relieved that he [Trump] is not seriously
wounded.” “We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and affected by this senseless shooting,” she stated in a statement. “Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
How did EU leaders respond to the shooting?
Reactions have been coming in from EU leaders, with many voicing their sympathy for Donald Trump and denouncing the US election campaign’s collapse into violence.
President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated “I am deeply shocked by the shooting that took place during former President Trump’s campaign rally. I wish Donald Trump a speedy recovery and offer my condolences to the family of the innocent victim. Political violence has no place in a democracy.”
The President of the European Commission expressed: “Political violence is unacceptable in a democracy. I strongly condemn the attack on former President Donald Trump.”
President of the EU Parliament said, “Shocked at the horrific attack at the rally of former President Trump in Pennsylvania. Political violence is unacceptable, it must have no place in our societies. My thoughts are with him and the victims.”
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EU Commission expressed shock and strong condemnation of the attack on President Trump, emphasizing that such acts of violence against political representatives are unacceptable.
