In a shocking turn of events, former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. The FBI has confirmed that the shooting, which left one rally attendee dead and two others injured, was an assassination attempt against the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate.
The attack occurred as Trump was delivering a speech to his supporters. Suddenly, gunshots rang out from outside the secured area, striking Trump in the right ear. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the former president grab his ear, drop to his knees behind the podium, and be quickly ushered away by his Secret Service detail.
“This evening we had what we are calling an assassination attempt against our former president Donald Trump,” Special Agent Kevin Rojek told reporters at a late-night press conference.
Despite the harrowing ordeal, Trump emerged from the chaos moments later, his signature “Make America Great Again” hat askew, defiantly pumping his fist and mouthing the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!” to the cheering crowd.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the attack, saying, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place.”
The suspected shooter, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man, was killed at the scene, authorities said. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation by the FBI.
Both Republican and Democratic leaders were quick to condemn the violence, with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stating that Trump had been safely transported to Bedminster, New Jersey under Secret Service protection.
The shooting comes just four months before the pivotal November 5th election, where Trump is seeking a rematch against incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden. Recent polls suggest a tight race between the two candidates.
Despite the shocking attack, the Trump campaign said the former president is “doing well” and remains committed to his campaign. As the nation grapples with this unsettling news, the investigation into the assassination attempt continues.
