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Published 09:01 14 Jul 2024 GMT
Donald Trump's children have spoken out following the disturbing assassination attempt on their father.
Donald Trump, 78, has returned to his home in New Jersey after being injured following an attempt on his life during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania.
As Trump was speaking at the podium, he took cover and was swiftly protected as loud bangs rang out. Trump has since taken to Truth Social to state that his upper-right ear was injured in the alarming incident.
It has been reported by the New York Post that the FBI has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Sources have claimed that Crooks positioned himself on the rooftop of a manufacturing plant just over 130 yards away Trump's stage.
Crooks was killed by Secret Service snipers and an AR-style rifle was later recovered by his body, reports say.
Despite Trump surviving the attack, sadly, one male rally-goer was killed and a further two men were injured in the attack.
In response to the concerning attempt on the former POTUS' life, two of Trump's oldest children have taken to social media to issue statements.
Ivanka Trump, 42, took to X and Instagram to share the following message: "Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions tody. I continue to pray for our country.
"I love you Dad, today and always."
Additionally, Trump's youngest daughter, 30-year-old Tiffany Ariana Trump, took to X to say: "The outpouring of love and support for my dad is deeply appreciated.
"Thank you God for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer. God bless the secret service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened. Please include the families of the victims in your prayers.
"As you saw today, my father is a fighter and he will continue to fight for you and the USA."
Additionally, over on X Donald Trump Jr, 46, pinned an image of his dad being escorted away from the rally his fist defiantly raised in the air and blood streaked across his face.
Alongside the photo, Trump Jr writes: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America".
And 40-year-old Eric Trump took a similar approach, writing in two separate tweets: "This is the fighter America needs!
"Never Surrender!!"
The FBI has since released a statement confirming that the situation remains an "active and ongoing investigation".
Our thoughts go out to everybody impacted by this tragedy.
Published 10:04 14 Jul 2024 GMT
Donald Trump has issued a statement following the devastating assassination attempt during a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday (July 13).
Cameras captured the moment 78-year-old Trump became the target of an assassination attempt as he stood at the podium to speak to hundreds that had gathered at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
The former POTUS could be seen clutching his ear before taking cover and being swamped by security personnel.
Trump has revealed that he sustained an injury to his right ear. Tragically, one rally-goer was killed amid the attacks, with another two men injured.
Trump's full statement, shared on his social media platform Truth Social shortly after the attempt on his life, can be seen in full below:
"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.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.
"Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
"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!"
The FBI has since identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Sources have claimed that Crooks positioned himself on the rooftop of a manufacturing plant just over 130 yards away Trump's stage.
Crooks was killed by Secret Service snipers and an AR-style rifle was later recovered by his body, reports say.
After receiving medical attention, Trump is now recuperating at his home in New Jersey.
Following the chaotic and concerning incident, one of Trump's senior advisers has told BBC's World Service show Weekend that his "heart sank" when he heard the news.
Describing the event as a "scary day", Stephen Moore said: "I got a text from one of my associates saying that Trump had been shot and my heart just sank, and I was afraid to ask the question ‘is he going to be alright?’"
"It appeared from the video that he’d only been grazed by this bullet but what’s so frightening to all of us is that if that bullet had been one inch further towards his head this would have been an assassination."
Moore went on to state that the former POTUS "needs more protection", before questioning whether or not "the Secret Service was totally prepared" for an incident like Saturday's to occur.
Published 10:20 14 Jul 2024 GMT
Published 08:17 15 Jul 2024 GMT
Donald Trump has spoken out about miraculously surviving as attempt on his life.
On Saturday (July 13), the 78-year-old former POTUS took to the stage as a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Roughly 10 minutes into his address, shots rang out, and the former president could be seen clutching at the right side of his head, before being bundled to the ground by his security detail.
Trump had been targeted by a 20-year-old shooter, who the FBI have since identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania. Crooks had taken aim from a rooftop approximately 130 meters away.
After authorities shot Crooks dead, an AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene. Crooks was not on the FBI's radar and the motive for his attack is not clear, per the Wall Street Journal.
Tragically, one male rally-goer was killed as a result of the shooting, with a further two men critically injured amid the chaos.
Trump was struck by a bullet in the right ear, narrowly avoiding death. He was treated for his injuries before returning to his New Jersey home.
Now, Trump has spoken to the New York Post about his "very surreal experience" and surviving the attack.
Recalling his medical treatment following the shooting, he told The Post: "The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle."
“I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” he added. “I’m supposed to be dead.”
Describing his security agents as "linebackers", Trump added that his shoes were knocked off as they bundled him to the ground.
In videos from the aftermath of the attack, Trump could be heard saying: "Wait, I want to get my shoes."
“Let me get my shoes on, let me get my shoes on," he said, per the New York Times.
He later clarified his comments to The Post, saying: "The agents hit me so hard that my shoes fell off, and my shoes are tight."
Commending the work of the Secret Service agents present at the scene, Trump shared details into Crooks' death, saying: "They took him out with one shot right between the eyes."
“They did a fantastic job,” Trump continued. "It’s surreal for all of us."
The former president also joked about having an "iconic" photo of himself without having to die.
“A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen,” Trump told The Post. "They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture."
The image in question (seen above), shows Trump defiantly raising a fist to his supporters as agents attempted to remove him from the stage. Footage from the moment shows Trump shouting the word "Fight!"
"I just wanted to keep speaking, but I just got shot," he added.
On Sunday, Trump landed in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. As he exited the steps of his jet, he once again raised his fist while wearing a bandage covering his ear.
Published 16:13 16 Jul 2024 GMT
Published 11:53 14 Jul 2024 GMT
A man attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, leading to a chaotic and harrowing sequence of events on Saturday evening.
The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, CNN reports. Crooks was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper at the scene. The FBI emphasized that the investigation into the assassination attempt remains active and ongoing, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge, stated that the motive behind the shooting remains unknown at this time.
Due to the gunman not having any identification on him, federal investigators utilized DNA analysis to confirm his identity biometrically. The shooting resulted in the death of one audience member at the rally, with two others currently in critical condition; all victims are men, although their identities have not yet been released.
Here's everything you about what went down at the deadly rally:
6.03PM: Donald Trump took the stage at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, greeted by the crowd and began his speech.
6.11PM: Multiple shots were fired towards the stage. Trump instinctively grabbed his ear and fell to the ground.
6.12PM: Secret Service agents swiftly reacted, shielding the 78-year-old Trump as chaos erupted. Despite the ordeal, Trump defiantly raised his fist to the crowd before being rushed off-stage.
6.14PM: Trump's motorcade departed from the rally venue.
6.42PM: The Secret Service confirmed an incident had occurred, assuring the public that Trump was safe.
7.03PM: Trump's campaign team announced that he was "fine" and undergoing medical evaluation at a local facility.
7.10PM: Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger reported one fatality among the rally attendees and confirmed the death of the gunman.
7.28PM): Law enforcement officials informed that the shooting was being investigated as an assassination attempt.
7.55PM: US President Joe Biden issued a statement expressing concern and pledging support for Trump's safety.
8.42PM: Trump shared on his Truth Social platform that he had been shot in the upper part of his right ear, acknowledging the severity of the incident.
9.02PM: The US Secret Service detailed that multiple gunshots had been fired from outside the venue and that the gunman had been "neutralised."
11.53PM: Law enforcement held a news conference, officially declaring the incident as an assassination attempt.
1.37AM: The FBI identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, stating that the investigation was ongoing.
Here's how Trump responded to the events on his Truth Social platform: "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.
"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.
"Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
"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!"
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