Former United States President Donald Trump is “safe” after being escorted off the stage with blood on his ear and cheek following a shooting at a Pennsylvania rally. The Secret Service says its personnel killed the suspected shooter. One spectator has been killed, and two others are critically injured in the shooting.
Pentagon Chief Says ‘Entire Department’ Condemns Attack
Lloyd Austin has become the latest official to decry the rally violence, which he said has “absolutely no place in our democracy.”
“This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America – and it must never be,” he said in a statement. “I’m relieved that reports indicate former President Trump is safe, and I am praying for him and his family and everyone affected by this appalling incident,” Austin added.
Trump Says Bullet Pierced Upper Part of His Right Ear
The former president has expressed gratitude for Secret Service agents who protected him and paid condolences to the rally attendee who was killed in the shooting.
“Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “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!”
Biden Says ‘Everybody’ Must Condemn Political Violence
Continuing his address to the nation from Delaware, where Biden was spending the weekend, the US president says the White House would give more updates throughout the night.
“The bottom line is that the Trump rally was a rally that he should have been able to conduct peacefully without any problem,” he said. “The idea, the idea that there’s political violence or violence in America like this is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. Everybody. Everybody must condemn it. Everybody. I’ll keep you informed, and if I am able to speak to Donald, I’ll let you know that as well,” he added.
Biden ‘Grateful’ That Trump Is Safe
The US president says he was briefed about the incident at the Trump rally. “I’m grateful to hear that he’s 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,” Biden said in a statement. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Obama Wishes Trump ‘Quick Recovery’
Barack Obama, the former US president who was succeeded by Trump in 2017, says, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, 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 said on X, adding that he and his wife, Michelle Obama, wish Trump “a quick recovery.”
Secret Service Says Shooter Was Outside of Rally
The Secret Service has given its account of today’s attack:
The gunman fired multiple shots towards the stage from an “elevated position” outside of the rally at about 6:15 pm local (22:00 GMT). Secret Service personnel “neutralized” the gunman, who is now dead. One spectator was killed, and two more were critically wounded.
Trump ‘Safe,’ Active Investigation Ongoing: Secret Service
Anthony Guglielmi, the head of communications for the Secret Service, has issued a statement on X saying that Trump is “safe.”
“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” he said. “The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation, and further information will be released when available.”
UK’s Starmer Among First World Leaders to React
The office of the newly elected prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said: “We condemn all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and we send our best wishes to President Trump and his family at this time.”
George W. Bush Denounces ‘Cowardly Attack’
The former president says he and his wife Laura are grateful that Trump is safe “following the cowardly attack on his life.”
“We commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response,” Bush said in a statement.
VP Harris Says She Has Been Briefed on Trump Rally Attack
Kamala Harris, the vice president who is seen as the most likely replacement for Biden if he chooses to step aside as the Democratic candidate, has said she and her husband are “relieved that [Trump] is not seriously injured.”
“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” she said in a statement. “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence,” Harris added.
Democrat Pelosi, Whose Husband Was Previously Attacked, Voices Relief
Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, has said that as a person “whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society.”
Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked in the couple’s home in 2022.
“I thank God that former President Trump is safe,” Pelosi said on X.
What Trump’s Possible VP Picks Have Said
Trump is set to announce his pick for vice president at the Republican National Convention next week. Here is what some of his possible running mates have said on social media about the incident in Pennsylvania:
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum: “We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies. Today he showed it.”
Senator JD Vance: “Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok.”
Senator Marco Rubio: “Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.”
Senator Tim Scott: “Praying for President Trump and everyone at the rally in Pennsylvania. May God watch over them all.”
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik: “AMERICA IS PRAYING! GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP! #SAVEAMERICA.”
Biden Calls Trump Rally Attack ‘Sick’
The president says that “there’s no place in America for this kind of violence.”
“It’s sick. It’s sick,” he said. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this,” Biden added.
US in ‘Very Bad Place’ Ahead of November Election: Security Analyst
Colin Clarke, a security analyst at the Soufan Group, has warned that the incident forebodes a “very dangerous political season.”
“It just epitomizes where the state of American democracy is,” he told Al Jazeera. “We’re at such extremes now that when people don’t agree with a political candidate, they’re reaching for these kinds of actions.”
“It’s a dark day in American history no matter what your political persuasion is and I think we’re in a very bad place in the lead-up to the election,” he said.
When it comes to the political implications, he said the incident is likely to see Trump supporters double down and could see undecided voters move towards him.
“Certainly this should be something that brings American people together,” he said, “but it’s likely to be more divisive.”
Biden Plans to Talk to Trump Shortly
The US president is speaking to the nation from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
“I plan on talking to him shortly. I hope when I get back to the telephone,” he said, referring to Trump.
Political Violence Is Absolutely Unacceptable: Bernie Sanders
The progressive senator, who has emerged as a vocal supporter of embattled President Biden in recent weeks, says he wishes Trump “a speedy recovery.”
“Political violence is absolutely unacceptable,” Sanders said in a social media post.
Elon Musk Endorses Trump After Incident
The billionaire entrepreneur wrote on X, the social media platform that he owns, that he “fully” endorses Trump and hopes for the former president’s “rapid recovery.”
US media outlets reported earlier this week that Musk had donated funds to a pro-Trump political group called America PAC.
