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.
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