01:04 Still and frequently mocked: What is known about Matthew Crooks, the shooter
FBI identifies Trump assassination attempt suspect as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
The FBI identifies the Trump assassination attempt suspect as the 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. A driver's license photo of Crooks shows him as a young man with side-parted dark blond hair, glasses, and a few freckles on his face. Crooks' former classmates describe him as a "quiet" student who often seemed "lonely," according to ABC News. A classmate reportedly said Crooks was "socially withdrawn." He couldn't remember hearing Crooks speak about politics in general or Trump specifically. Jason Kohler, who allegedly attended the same high school as the suspected shooter, speaks to reporters, saying Crooks was often bullied. "He was quiet, but he was just bullied. He was bullied so much." Crooks, who occasionally wore hunter clothing, was reportedly mocked for his clothing style.
00:35 "Next time not miss": Democratic congresswoman fires employee for Facebook post
Democratic Representative in the US House of Representatives Bennie Thompson fires an employee who posted on social media that she wished the Trump assassination attempt had been better aimed. According to "New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but please take marksmanship training so you don't miss next time. Oops, that wasn't me who spoke." Thompson, who represents the second district of the US state of Mississippi, writes on X, expressing gratitude that Trump is okay. He adds, "There is no place for political violence in America's democracy."
23:50 No intensification of security measures at Republican Party convention
The Secret Service representative in charge of security for the Republican Party convention, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, informs that the measures for the large-scale event will not be intensified initially. The possibility of banning weapons in the outdoor area of the event venue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as an additional precaution, is not considered by Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Carrying firearms is protected by state laws, he says. At the Mega-Event, Trump is scheduled to officially be nominated as the Republican Party's presidential candidate during the week. Trump is making efforts to avoid giving the impression of weakness: He announced plans to travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US federal state on Sunday afternoon (local time) to attend the party convention.
23:21 Biden: Motive of the shooter still unclear
After the assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, the motive of the shooter remains unclear. "We still have no information about the motive of the shooter," says US President Joe Biden at the White House to journalists. Biden urges the public not to speculate and to let the law enforcement agencies do their job.
22:53 Financial markets expect "landslide victory for Trump"
Financial markets are expected to reposition themselves after the attempted assassination of US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. The bullet that hit Trump at a campaign rally is said to have increased his chances of winning the election, and financial markets may be reacting accordingly, investors suggest. "The election is likely to be a landslide," says Nick Ferres, Chief Investment Manager at Vantage Point Asset Management. Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager at Eastspring Investments in Singapore, expects the Dollar to continue its recovery and investors to focus on a steeper yield curve for US Treasury bonds.
22:07 Injured visitors in stable condition
The two people who were seriously injured in the attempted assassination on Donald Trump are reportedly in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania police. At a campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The suspected shooter was shot by security guards. Trump was lightly wounded, while two visitors were seriously injured.
21:57 FBI: Suspect acted alone, no identifiable ideology or mental health issues yet
The FBI has issued a statement: The suspected shooter acted alone, and there is no further danger to security, an FBI representative says. The incident is being classified as a domestic terrorist attack and an attempted assassination. The FBI is investigating the social media accounts of the 20-year-old suspect who was killed. However, no clear evidence of an ideology or mental health issues has been found so far. The weapon was legally purchased, presumably by the suspect's father. Bomb experts have also secured a suspicious device in the suspect's car, which has been taken to the lab for further investigation.
21:42 Starmer speaks with Trump
Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly spoken with the wounded former US President Trump, according to government sources. He condemned the violence and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. Trump and the other injured individuals were wished a quick recovery, according to the British news agency PA.
21:16 Soeder gives Democrats an "outsider recommendation"
"Violence is certainly not a means of resolution," says CSU leader Markus Soeder and wishes Trump a speedy recovery after the assassination attempt. He assesses the consequences for the Presidential campaign and gives the Democrats a tip.
20:47 Trump to travel to Wisconsin Republican Party convention soon
Just one day after the assassination attempt on him, former US President Donald Trump plans to travel to the Republican Party convention in the state of Wisconsin. Trump announced on the Truth Social platform that he would leave for Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon local time and would not change his schedule.
20:39 Biden abandons plans to travel to Texas
US President Joe Biden has canceled a planned trip to Texas at short notice. The White House confirmed this. Biden had originally planned to travel to the southern state on Monday. After the shootings at Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening local time, Biden had already cut short his weekend stay in Delaware and returned to the government headquarters in Washington.
20:11 Biden announces heightened security measures for the Republican convention
US-President Joe Biden announces a speech to the nation and calls for unity. "We must stand as one nation," says Biden at the White House and announces that in an official address from the Oval Office that evening (Monday night in German time), he will address the American people. For the Republican convention, which begins on Monday, security measures will be strengthened, he also announces. An independent investigation into the motives behind the attack is also to be carried out. Biden and his vice president Kamala Harris were informed of the investigation status in the morning by the heads of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service, the security service for presidents and former presidents.
20:07 Live on ntv: Biden comments on Trump assassination attempt
US-President Joe Biden comments on the hour on the attempted assassination of his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already expressed himself a few hours after the incident on Saturday and said, "There is no place for this kind of violence in America." He then called Trump. Biden was briefed on the status of the investigations in the morning by the heads of the FBI and the Secret Service.
19:43 Firefighter threw himself in front of family and died "as a hero"
The man killed at a campaign rally of former US President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and family man. Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro announced this and said he had spoken with his wife and daughters. The man died "as a hero" and threw himself over his family to protect them when the shots fell at the Trump rally. He was a "passionate supporter" of Trump. In addition to the man who died, two other spectators were injured. Shapiro said their condition was critical.
19:13 Many Republicans see Biden and the Democrats as culprits
The majority of Republicans in Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours after the attack on a campaign event in Butler. According to the "Washington Post," approximately 30 of them directly blame US President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for the alleged instigation of the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the violence and his statement that "every form of political violence must be denounced."
18:44 Former German US Ambassador: Copycats or avengers more likely
The former German ambassador to the US, Wolfgang Ischinger, warns of the danger of a spiral of violence in the US election campaign. "Copycats - against Trump - or avengers - against Joe Biden - are more likely," he tells the "Tagesspiegel." This applies all the more because "multiple conspiracy theories are confusing the already uncertain American electorate." Michael Link, the Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, also fears further political polarization in the US. "This must not happen. It's important now to maintain calm and respect. That's what President Joe Biden did with his call to Donald Trump," says the FDP politician.
18:06 Trump's Lager sees conspiracy theories confirmed
Shots at Donald Trump could be decisive for the upcoming Presidency election in the USA, explains Frank Umbach. The security expert finds it "inexplicable" that indications of the shooter were not followed up on and praises the Democrats for "the right reaction".
17:37 "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America" - Trump's children express themselves
The children of former President Donald Trump pay tribute to their father and thank the agents who protected him. "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America", writes Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter along with a photo of his father with a bloodied face raising his fist. Eric Trump shares the same photo on Instagram with a similar message in capital letters. In an Instagram story, Tiffany Trump thanks God that her father is still alive. "Political violence is never the answer", she writes, thanks the law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service, and honors the victims. "As you have seen today, my father is a fighter, and he will continue to fight for you and the USA." Ivanka Trump, who previously announced that she would not participate in her father's presidential campaign this year, thanks the bodyguards and writes: "I continue to pray for our country", and: "I love you, Dad, today and always."
17:15 The shooter also had explosives in his car
The Trump assassin, according to information from the "Wall Street Journal", also had explosives in his car. The car near the crime scene was secured, reports the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used for the assassination attempt was bought by the father of the alleged assassin, reports the newspaper and ABC News further. It is said to be an AR-15 rifle. The rifle was developed in the 1950s, initially for the military. The rifle is externally almost identical to the M16 military rifle, which Colt sold to the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version. Technically speaking, it is not possible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in very short time.
16:59 Now Melania Trump speaks out
After the attempted assassination of Ex-US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump also speaks out. The man who was killed in the assassination attempt was a "Monster", who had tried to "extinguish Donald's passion, his laughter, his inventiveness, his love of music, and his enthusiasm", explains the former First Lady of the USA on Twitter. When she saw that a bullet had grazed her husband, she realized that her life and that of her son Barron were "on the verge of a devastating change". Melania Trump thanks the bodyguards of her husband.
16:26 "They're not catching up to me, they're catching up to you" - Trump Campaign starts fundraising appeal
According to Brad Bannon, a democratic strategist, this incident could benefit Trump. It fits the narrative of the former US President that the country is on the wrong track. "The attempted attack generates sympathy for Trump," says Bannon. "It also confirms the belief of his voters that something fundamental is wrong in this country." Trump's appearances at the four-day Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which begins on Monday, could be fueled by the attack. "If the country wasn't a powder keg before, it is now," says Chip Felkel, a republican political advisor who is not a Trump supporter. Hours after the incident, Trump's campaign launched a fundraising appeal via text message to voters. "They're not catching up to me, they're catching up to you," reads the message to voters.
16:08 Concerns before the convention: Republicans working with 40 security agencies
The chairman of the Republicans, Michael Whatley, assures that the agencies are working intensively to ensure security at the upcoming convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different security agencies, according to Whatley in an interview with Fox News.
15:44 Top Trump advisors: "If something seems strange, please report it immediately"
Top advisors of Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We have 24/7 armed security presence with officers on site. Additional security checks are being conducted. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all staff," the "Washington Post" quotes Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election. If something seems strange, please report it immediately to the leadership or the security team on site," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump shooting
During Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania, shots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculation about fireworks, the sound of gunshots, gunfire on the roof, and the moment Trump fell to the ground.
14:58 Leading Republican: "We need to tone down the rhetoric"The President of the US House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, is working to calm things down. "We need to tone down the rhetoric," he says in an interview with MSNBC. "We need to lower the temperature in this country."
14:30 Expert: Trump shooting is an opportunity for Biden
14:03 Trump calls for unity"It's more important than ever that we come together," writes Donald Trump on his "Truth Social" platform. He is already looking forward to speaking in Wisconsin "to our great country" this week. The Republican National Convention takes place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, he is praying for the wounded, and holds the memory of the deceased citizen "in our hearts." Trump had already called for unity in his inaugural address as US President in January 2017.
12:58 Stoltenberg shocked over Trump assassination attemptNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is shocked over the attack on Trump. "I am shocked by the attempted assassination of former President Trump", Stoltenberg writes on X. He wishes him a speedy recovery and is keeping the victims in his thoughts. Political violence has no place in democracies. The NATO allies are standing together to defend freedom and values.
12:13 Video shows seconds between shooter's shots and Secret Service shotsThe American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which both the shooter's gunshots and the Secret Service's shots, which may have saved Trump, can be heard. The attack caused panic among the bystanders. The recording was made from outside the area where the rally took place, as TMZ reports.
11:40 Secret Service denies Republican allegationsThe Secret Service has denied the allegation that they had denied additional security resources to Trump in the last months. "The claim that a member of the former President's security team requested additional security resources that were denied by the Secret Service or the Home Security Department is absolutely false", said Secret-Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. In fact, the Secret Service had recently increased security measures.
Few hours after the attack on Trump, Republican congressman Michael Waltz had said that he had "reliable sources" who said that there had been repeated requests for a stronger intelligence service protection for President Trump. Waltz did not provide any evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier expresses condolences to Trump's familyFederal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns the assassination attempt and expresses his condolences to the family of the victim: "I condemn the attack on the 45th US President, Donald J. Trump", Steinmeier writes in a statement. "Violence has no place in our democracy - not in America, not here. We can all contribute: Let us respect violence in political disputes! Let us push back hatred and hate speech from campaigning and debates! Democracy tolerates sharp controversies - but violence destroys democracy. Donald J. Trump and the injured I wish a speedy recovery. My deepest condolences go to the family of the victim of the attack."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced the image directly, instinctively"A few seconds after the gunshots, Trump is seen standing up, covered in blood, and raising his fist at Secret Service agents. Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. It remains to be seen if Trump will be able to continue spinning his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter seems to have noticed shooter just before first shotsA video posted on X shows a sharpshooter at the Trump rally at the exact moment the gunshots ring out. Sharpshooters are deployed by the Secret Service to secure the surroundings - which apparently did not work in this case. The sharpshooter seems to be observing something or someone through his scope. He recoils, just before the gunshots can be heard, suggesting that he became aware of the shooter in that moment. Shortly thereafter, the shooter was shot.
09:23 A participant warned of the assassin before the attackA participant named Greg Smith noticed a man with a rifle on a roof near the venue before the shootings at Trump's rally in Butler. He told on-site security personnel: "Hey man, there's a guy with a rifle on the roof", he later told the BBC. The response was: "Ha ha, what?", as if the security forces didn't know what was going on. "I thought: Why is Trump still speaking, why didn't they take him off the stage? ... The next thing I heard were five gunshots."
09:15 Scholz condemns the attackGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the attempted attack against Trump: "The attack on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a quick recovery. My thoughts are also with the people who were affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy."
08:28 Photographer captures image of possible projectileNew York Times photographer Doug Mills apparently took a photo at the exact moment a bullet narrowly missed Trump. Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent, told the newspaper the photo "could very well be the air displacement from a bullet." In general, it is possible to photograph a flying bullet, Harrigan said. Mills used a Sony digital camera that can take up to 30 images per second at the Trump rally. The photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000 second.
08:00 Alleged shooter registered as a RepublicanThe FBI identified the alleged shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He is from the small town of Bethel Park in the US state of Pennsylvania, an hour south of Butler, where the Trump rally took place. Crooks is registered as a Republican. According to reports he donated $15 to a Democratic donation organization on the day of Biden's inauguration in January 2021.
The "New York Post" notes that Crooks was 17 years old at the time of the donation. He registered as a Republican member in September 2021, when he turned 18.
07:46 Expert: "Secret Service needs to answer some questions"As a former President and candidate, Trump is under the protection of the Secret Service. There are highest security precautions in place at all campaign events, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It now needs to be clarified how such an attacker was able to approach, van de Laar said.
07:38 World leaders react with shockWorld leaders reacted with shock to the attack on the former President Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, she was deeply shocked, wished Trump a quick recovery, and expressed her condolences to the innocent victim's family. "Political violence has no place in a democracy", she wrote. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also reacted similarly. "My thoughts are with the former President Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans."
United Nations also condemn Trump attack. "The Secretary-general strongly condemns this act of political violence," explains UN-Secretary-General António Guterres' spokesperson. "He wishes President Trump a swift recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also shares, he is "appalled" by the news of the attack. "Such violence has no justification and no place in the world. Never should violence prevail." Zelenskyy also wishes Trump a swift recovery.
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden had stated that he was grateful that Trump was safe and doing well. In the US, there is "no place for this kind of violence".
07:21 Open questions to the Secret ServiceFBI agent Kevin Rojek speaks at a press conference, it's "surprising" that the shield managed to fire several shots. In response to a question about security measures, he says such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Despite the name, the Secret Service is not a secret service, but (among other things) responsible for the security of US presidents and former US presidents.
"They conduct the initial security assessments and determine where the various security locations should be," Rojek says. "And they are the ones responsible for securing the crime scene." A representative of the Secret Service is not present at the press conference. It was "no one available," so Rojek.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, apparently in good healthA Trump spokesperson posts a video that shows Trump leaving an airport in New Jersey without assistance. His injured ear is not visible in the video. The Republicans have already announced that the nominating convention will take place as planned; the convention takes place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee. There, Trump will be officially nominated as the Republican presidential candidate. US President Biden shared that the Democrats would stop all campaign ads as soon as possible.
06:50 Shooter fired from a roof near the rallyAnthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, says the suspect fired "several shots at the podium" and was located "on an elevated position outside the event site." This would mean a roof near the rally.
06:39 Shooter is reportedly a 20-year-old from PennsylvaniaThe person who shot Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, says a source familiar with the investigation to the "Washington Post." Officially, the FBI states that they have not yet identified the shooter, but are "close to identification." The shooter is dead. According to Pennsylvania police, it is too early to say whether it was a lone gunman. There is also no indication of "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump released from hospitalTrump was discharged from the hospital late Saturday evening (local time) according to a Bloomberg report.
06:01 FBI confirms attempted assassination against Ex-President Trump at rallyAfter the shootings at a campaign event in the US state of Pennsylvania, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has classified the incident as an "attempted assassination" against former President Donald Trump. FBI Agent Kevin Rojek in Butler, the location of the rally, stated, "This was an attempted assassination against our former President Donald Trump." Trump was injured in the ear by the gunshots, according to law enforcement reports. A bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured.
04:41 Biden phones Trump after attack
U.S. President Joe Biden personally phoned the Republican. The White House announced this without disclosing the contents of the conversation. On Sunday, Biden will be briefed at the White House by law enforcement on the status of the investigations, it was further stated.
03:58 Republicans to hold convention despite Trump attackThe U.S. Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as scheduled this week, despite the attack on their presidential candidate Donald Trump. The party and Trump's campaign team made this clear in a joint statement. The Republicans will gather in Milwaukee starting Monday for their nominating convention to officially nominate Trump as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Shooter fired from elevated positionIn the attack on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the alleged shooter opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event venue. One bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured, according to the Secret Service. Initially, there was talk of a seriously injured person.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in the earFormer U.S. President Donald Trump, in his own words, was injured in the ear by a bullet during the attack at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
00:33 Shots fired at Trump: Secret Service escorts ex-President from stageFormer U.S. President Donald Trump was escorted from the stage by security personnel during a campaign event in Pennsylvania after gunshots were fired. In the images, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
The attempted assassination on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump during his campaign rally is being investigated, with no clear motive or ideology identified by the FBI so far. Despite the attempt, financial markets expect a "landslide victory for Trump" in the 2024 United States Presidential Election.
Despite this, Democratic Congresswoman Bennie Thompson fired an employee for posting on social media that she wished the Trump assassination attempt had been better aimed, showing a lack of empathy and inappropriate political comments.
