Former President Donald Trump confirmed he was shot in the ear Saturday during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and that “much bleeding took place” afterward.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the attack. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
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Trump offered his condolences to the family of the spectator who was killed in the shooting, as well as to the family of another spectator who authorities said was critically injured. The former president said he did not have information about the identity of the shooter but confirmed that the shooter was dead.
“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,” Trump said.
After gunshots interrupted Trump’s campaign rally on Saturday, the former president was seen grabbing his ear and diving behind his podium. Secret Service agents rushed to get Trump off the stage while Trump pumped his fist in the air in defiance.
Agents rushed Trump into a nearby armored car, and his motorcade sped to a nearby hospital. His campaign said shortly afterward that the former president and presumptive GOP nominee was fine.
The Secret Service later said the shooter, who was killed by agents, fired on Trump from “an elevated position” outside the security perimeter of the rally. Eyewitnesses told reporters that the shooter appeared to be on the rooftop of a nearby building.
Law enforcement officers are reportedly investigating the shooting as an assassination attempt.
President Joe Biden spoke after the attack and condemned the political violence against his opponent. He stopped short of labeling the shooting an attempted assassination, saying he was waiting to learn more information.
Biden’s campaign suspended its political advertising in the wake of the attack.
Lawmakers and political leaders across the political spectrum offered an outpouring of support for Trump and the rallygoers who were killed or hurt in the shooting. Most decried the political violence that occurred and called for a moment of unity.
A Secret Service spokesman said two audience members were critically injured, in addition to the rallygoer who was killed. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or the shooter.
The attack came less than 48 hours before the start of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, where Trump will formally receive the party’s presidential nomination.
