04:15 Trump-Attempts was a member in Shooting Club
According to US media, the Trump assassination attempt suspect was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen's Club. The club's lawyer, Robert Bootay, confirmed in a statement that Thomas Matthew Crooks was a member. The club, which operates a wooded facility in the southern hills of Pittsburgh with a 200-yard shooting range, cannot provide any further comment on the matter due to ongoing police investigations.
03:31 The German government is preparing for a possible second presidency for Trump
The German government is preparing for a possible second presidency for Donald Trump, according to its Transatlantic Coordinator Michael Link. "Besides the intensive preparations of the German government, which are running very intensively but self-evidently confidentially behind the scenes, we also need a consensus of the democratic parties, factions, and political foundations," Link told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "I am regularly seeking this consensus and have been networking intensively with the relevant experts in the CDU and CSU on the topic of preparation for a possible scenario Trump 2.0," says the FDP politician. Previously, the deputy chairman of the CDU faction Jens Spahn and the green chairman of the Bundestag European Affairs Committee, Anton Hofreiter, had warned that Germany should prepare better for a possible Trump re-election.
02:25 Biden calls for de-escalation in the campaign
US President Joe Biden urged Americans to resolve their differences at the ballot box and not with bullets following the attack on his predecessor and political rival Donald Trump. "We settle our differences at the ballot box. That's how it works - at the ballot box, not with bullets," Biden said in a rare address to the nation from the Oval Office in the White House. "We need to lower the heated rhetoric in politics." Biden reminded Americans that they were "neighbors and friends, not enemies." The Democrat expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured in the shooting incident. Biden acknowledged that the campaign had been marked by highly charged political rhetoric but emphasized the high stakes of the upcoming presidential elections.
01:46 Biden resumes campaign planning
Following a brief campaign pause due to the attack on his predecessor and political opponent Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden plans to resume public appearances in the coming days. According to the White House, Biden will visit the NAACP convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday and attend a local campaign event in the Nevada desert metropolis on Wednesday. Biden had canceled a Monday trip to Texas and cut short a weekend stay in Delaware in response to the shooting incident.
01:04 Still Quiet and Frequently Bullied: What Matthew Crooks was Known For
The FBI in the US federal police identifies the Trump assassin as the 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. A driver's license image 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," as reported by ABC News. A classmate claims Crooks was "socially withdrawn." He can't remember hearing Crooks talk about politics in general or Trump specifically. Jason Kohler, who claims to have attended the same high school as the alleged shooter, speaks to reporters, stating Crooks was often bullied. "He was quiet, but he was just bullied. He was bullied so much." Crooks, who occasionally wore hunter clothing, was mocked for his clothing style.
00:35 "Next Time Don't Miss": Democratic Congresswoman Fires Employee for Facebook Post
The Democratic congressman in the US House of Representatives, Bennie Thompson, fires an employee who posted on social media that she wished the Trump assassin had aimed better. According to "New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but please take marksmanship classes so you don't miss next time. Ups, that wasn't me who spoke." Thompson, who represents Mississippi's second district, writes on X, expresses gratitude that Trump is doing well. He adds, "There is no place for political violence in America's democracy."
23:50 No Enhancement 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. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not see the possibility of banning weapons in the outdoor area of the event venue in Milwaukee as an additional precaution. Carrying firearms is protected by state laws, he says. At the Mega-Event, Trump is scheduled to be officially nominated as the Republican Party's presidential candidate during the week. Trump is making efforts not to give an impression of weakness: He announced plans to visit Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the US state on Sunday afternoon (local time) to break ground for the party convention.
23:21 Biden: Motive of the Shooter Still Unclear
After the shooting of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, the motive of the shooter remains unclear. "We still have no information on 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"
After the attempted assassination on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets need to reposition themselves. The bullet that hit Trump at an election rally increases his chances of a victory, and therefore, financial markets may be significantly focused on this, investors say. "The election is likely to be a landslide victory. This reduces the uncertainty," says Nick Ferres, Chief Investment Manager at Vantage Point Asset Management. Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager of Eastspring Investments in Singapore, expects the Dollar to continue its uptrend 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 severely injured in the attempted assassination on Donald Trump are in a stable condition, according to Pennsylvania police. At a campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The alleged shooter was shot by security guards. Trump was lightly injured, while two visitors were severely injured.
21:57 FBI: Suspect acted alone, no identifiable ideology or mental illness yet
The FBI issues a warning: The alleged 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 who was killed. However, there have been no identifiable ideology or mental health issues of the alleged assassin yet. The weapon was legally purchased, presumably by the suspect's father. Bomb experts have 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 spoken with the wounded former US President Trump, according to government sources. He condemned the violence and expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, it is reported. Trump and the others injured were wished a quick recovery by Starmer, according to the British news agency PA.
21:16 Soeder gives Democrats an "external recommendation":
"Violence is certainly not a means of dispute resolution," says CSU chief 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. The Republican presidential candidate announced on the online platform Truth Social that he would leave for Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon local time and would not change his schedule.
20:39 Biden abandons plans for Texas trip
US President Joe Biden cancels his 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 Tightened Security Measures for the Republican Convention
US-President Joe Biden gives 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 statement from the Oval Office that evening (Monday in German night), he will address the American people. For the Republican Convention starting on Monday, Biden also announces that security measures should be strengthened. An independent investigation into the motives behind the attack is also to be commissioned. 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 Speaks on Trump Attack
US-President Joe Biden speaks on the attempted assassination of his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already spoken out on Saturday a few hours after the incident and stated, "There is no place for this kind of violence in America." He then called Trump. Biden was briefed on the investigation status in the morning by the heads of the FBI and the Secret Service.
19:43 Firefighter Threw Himself Over Family and Died as a Hero
The man killed during a campaign rally of former US President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and family man. This was announced by the democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, and he spoke with his wife and daughters. The man died "as a hero" and threw himself over his family to shield them when the shots fell at the Trump rally. He was a "passionate supporter" of Trump. Besides the one man in the crowd who died, two other spectators were injured. Shapiro stated that their condition was still critical.
19:13 Many Republicans See Blame with Biden and the Democrats
The majority of Republicans in Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours following 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 "everyone must condemn political violence."
18:44 Former German US Ambassador: Imitators 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. "Imitators - 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 unsettled American electorate." Michael Link, the Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, also fears further political polarization in the US. "That must not happen. It is now important 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, and praises the Democrats for "the right reaction".
17:37 "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America" - Trump's children speak out
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, thanking the law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service and honoring 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, also 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 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 rifle, which the manufacturer Colt sold to the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version. Technically speaking, continuous fire is not possible 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 former US President Donald Trump, his wife Melania also speaks out. The slain bodyguard was a "monster" who 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 brink of a devastating change". Melania Trump thanks the personal protectors 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 law enforcement 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 law enforcement agencies, according to Whatley on Fox News.
15:44 Top Trump Advisor: "If something seems strange, please report it immediately"
Top advisors of Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are increasing security presence 24/7 with officers on site. Additional security checks will be conducted. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all staff," quotes the "Washington Post" Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We also 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 speech in Pennsylvania, gunshots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculation about fireworks, the sound of gunshots, gunshots 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 on 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, "I pray for the wounded, and we will keep the memory of the fallen 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 the former president Trump", Stoltenberg writes on X. He wishes him a speedy recovery and is thinking of the victims. 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 shots and the Secret Service's shots, which may have saved Trump, are audible. 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 refused additional security resources for 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 spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. In fact, the Secret Service had recently increased security measures.
Few hours after the attack on Trump, Republican congressman Michael Waltz said he had "reliable sources" who claimed that there had been repeated requests for stronger intelligence service protection for 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 assassination attempt 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 all can contribute: Let us respect violence in political disputes! Let us push back hatred and hate speech from election campaigns and debates! Democracy tolerates sharp controversies - but violence destroys democracy. Donald J. Trump and the injured person wish them 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"Seconds after the shots were fired, Trump is seen getting up, covered in blood, and raising his fist at Secret Service agents. Political scientist Thomas Jäger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. It remains to be seen if Trump can continue to spin 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 shots are fired. Sharpshooters are deployed by the Secret Service to secure the area - which apparently did not go well in this case. The sharpshooter seems to be observing something or someone through his scope. He recoils, just before the shots are heard, suggesting that he became aware of the shooter as a threat 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 nearby 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 takes picture of possible projectileNew York Times photographer Doug Mills apparently took a picture at the exact moment a bullet narrowly missed Trump. Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent, told the newspaper that "the photo could very well show the air displacement from a bullet". Generally, it is possible to photograph a flying bullet, Harrigan added. Mills used a Sony digital camera at the Trump rally, which can take up to 30 pictures per second. 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 was 20 years old and from the small town of Bethel Park in Pennsylvania, an hour south of Butler, where the Trump rally took place. Crooks was 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 must answer some questions"Donald Trump, as a former President and candidate, 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, despite these measures.
07:38 World leaders react in shockWorld leaders reacted in 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 says at a press conference that it was "surprising" that the shield bore several shots. In response to a question about security measures, he says that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Although the name suggests otherwise, the Secret Service is not an intelligence agency, 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 selected 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 that the suspect fired "multiple shots at the stage" and was located "on an elevated position outside the event area." This suggests that a roof near the rally could be meant.
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 doing so. 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 night (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. "This was an attempted assassination against our former president Donald Trump," FBI Agent Kevin Rojek in Butler, the location of the rally, said. Trump was injured at the ear, according to law enforcement reports, and besides the alleged shooter, a bystander was killed and two others were severely wounded.
04:41 Biden phones Trump after attack
US President Joe Biden personally phoned the Republican. The White House confirmed this without disclosing the contents of the conversation. On Sunday, Biden will be briefed at the White House on the progress of the investigations, it was further stated.
03:58 Republicans to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as planned 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 from Monday to officially nominate the 78-year-old as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Shooter shot from "elevated position"During the attack on the 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 severely wounded, according to the Secret Service. Initially, it was reported that one person had been seriously injured.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in the earFormer US President Donald Trump, in his own words, was hit by a bullet in the ear during the attack at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet in the ear, which 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 off stageFormer US President Donald Trump was escorted off the stage by security personnel during a campaign event in Pennsylvania after shots were fired. In the images, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
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- Amidst the ongoing US Presidency Election 2024 speculations, Joe Biden urges Americans to keep politics civil and avoid resorting to violence, following the Trump assassination attempt suspect's motive remaining unclear.
