President Joe Biden issued a statement following the news, writing in part: “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” while VP Kamala Harris said she and her husband are “praying” for Trump and “all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.”
Former President Donald Trump, the current 2024 presumptive Republican candidate, was giving a speech at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday when gunfire broke out.
The candidate appeared to drop to the ground after touching the side of his face as the Secret Service rushed the stage. When he arose, there was what appeared to be visible blood on the side of his head and ear. He was quickly escorted to a vehicle surrounded by agents.
Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, said in a statement that Trump is “fine.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” he said. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
Shortly after the incident, Butler County, PA District Attorney Richard Goldfinger reportedly told a Washington Post reporter that one audience member was killed in the shooting, while another is in serious condition.
Goldinger confirmed to the Associated Press and CBS News that the shooter is also dead. His identity has not been released, with Secret Service saying this is an active investigation. Law enforcement told CBS News there is no longer a threat to public safety.
A source told TMZ that Trump was not hit by a bullet, but that a bullet hit his teleprompter, the glass shattered, and struck him by his ear. The outlet also reported that two rally attendees were struck by gunfire and are currently being treated at the hospital.
After the incident, the Trump campaign said in a statement, per CBS News, “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
On Saturday evening, Trump spoke out for the first time, issuing a statement on Truth Social.
“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 the other person that was badly injured.”
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” he continued, adding that “nothing is known at this time about the shooter.”
Donald Trump releases statement after rally shooting. pic.twitter.com/IgroSrMAQh
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 14, 2024
@PopBase
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump said. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
According to the Associated Press, the shooting is now being investigated as an assassination attempt.
Following the shooting, celebrities and political figures took to social media to react.
President Joe Biden issued a statement, saying, “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. 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.
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety,” he added. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also shared a statement that read: “I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania. Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
See more reactions, below.
Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 14, 2024
@BillClinton
I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
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.
Jill and I are grateful to the Secret…
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024
@POTUS
I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania.
Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.
We are grateful to…
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 14, 2024
@VP
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 today. I continue to pray for our…
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2024
@IvankaTrump
Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 13, 2024
@GavinNewsom
Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 13, 2024
@RobertKennedyJr
Violence is never the answer. Never.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 13, 2024
@GeorgeTakei
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.…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2024
@BarackObama
As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.
As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those…
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 13, 2024
@SpeakerPelosi
In this horrible moment, encouraged to hear President Trump’s team indicate that the former president is doing well.
An entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) July 13, 2024
@SecretaryPete
Please join me and my family in immediately praying for our great nation and the entire Trump family.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 13, 2024
@MeghanMcCain
Pray for our broken country.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 13, 2024
@MeghanMcCain
He’ll never stop fighting to Save America 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qT4Vd0sVTm
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 13, 2024
@DonaldJTrumpJr
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
@elonmusk
Violence has no place in our politics. Period end of story. Hope the former president is okay. Hope his family is as well. This is a moment for everyone to pause, to stop. Violence in our speech, our tone, our thoughts, our words. May we all reject it all.
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 13, 2024
@mariashriver
Praying for our country 🇺🇸
— Mike The Situation ☝🏻 (@ItsTheSituation) July 13, 2024
@ItsTheSituation
This is really really bad. Worst case I can imagine.
— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) July 13, 2024
@EmbryEthan
Regardless of political party.. this is absurd.. we can do better as a country
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) July 13, 2024
@LoniLove
I’m glad the former president is safe and hoping no one else was seriously hurt. The bravery of the secret service astonishes me.
I’m weeping for my country and furious at whoever f***ing did this
— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) July 13, 2024
@MrJonCryer
It shouldn’t matter what side you are on to feel appalled and horrified. We MUST take a step back / put the differences aside / and come together. 🙏🏽🙏🏽 🙏🏽My prayers are with the president and my heart is with our country – every American in it.
— Jillian Michaels (@JillianMichaels) July 13, 2024
@JillianMichaels
No form up political violence is acceptable. I’m wishing President Trump a speedy recovery and hope that the members of his detail and crowd are ok.
— David Hogg 🟧 (@davidhogg111) July 13, 2024
@davidhogg111
Praying for our country rn 🇺🇸
— Scotty McCreery (@ScottyMcCreery) July 13, 2024
@ScottyMcCreery
We are praying for @realDonaldTrump
🙏🏼🇺🇸— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) July 13, 2024
@titoortiz
HOLY SHIT
DONALD TRUMP JUST GOT SHOT! pic.twitter.com/vyzbZrNb5W
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) July 13, 2024
@rustyrockets
