13:35 Trump-Attack brings Chinese company's stock exchange to a standstill
After the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, a Chinese technology company shone on the stock exchange - and only because of its name. The shares of software maker Wisesoft surged by up to 10% at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange today. The company name in Mandarin is Chuan Da Zhi Sheng, which sounds remarkably similar to the Chinese translation of the sentence "Trump wins big." In China, stock market speculation related to current events is widespread. This often leads to price surges in all directions that have nothing to do with the numbers and performance of the respective company.
13:06 USA after the Attack: "Time for Revenge" for Trump and Republicans
The interpretation of the attempted assassination on Donald Trump is in full swing. Political scientist Andrew B. Denison believes that the former President and the Republicans will assume the martyr role and continue to fan the political hatred:
12:37 T-Shirts with Trump Photos are the New Sales Hit
Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, online sales of T-shirts featuring images of the bloodied ex-President have skyrocketed in a short time. On the T-Shirts, which cost between $9 and $40, Trump is shown with a bloody face, raising his fist defiantly. Slogans like "Bulletproof", "Legends never die", and "Shooting makes me stronger" are printed on them. The 25-year-old Li Jinwei, who sells products on the Chinese platform Taobao from Alibaba, immediately designed T-Shirts when she heard about the attack. "We had over 2000 orders from China and the USA within three hours," the businesswoman told media in Hong Kong.
11:55 Many Years before Trump: The Man "who destroyed American politics"
The shots at Donald Trump during a campaign rally mark the lowest point of the polarizing battle between political factions in the USA so far. The Republican Party's accusations against the Democrats are "hypocritical," says historian Annika Brockschmidt, and explains how political adversaries became enemies:
11:19 "The Example the Political Leaders will Set in the Next Few Days is Crucial"
Regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the start of the Republican Party Convention, where he is officially to be named the presidential candidate, the "Los Angeles Times" writes: "The example the political leaders will set in the next few days is crucial for how the rest of the election campaign will unfold. (...) Trump and the top Republicans, who are gathering in Milwaukee this week, bear a special responsibility for not using the assassination attempt as a tool to inflame their base. They must recognize that the US is a powder keg at the moment, and that heated rhetoric should be toned down before sparks fly. For the time being, they must recognize that violence, once unleashed, is non-partisan." Previously, President Biden had already called on US citizens to renounce violence.
10:42 After Shots on Trump: "The Divide in the USA will deepen"
Could the thwarted assassination attempt on Donald Trump be a moment of inner political reconciliation for US society? Political scientist Thomas Jäger sees no signs of it. On the contrary, the split in the country could worsen.
10:13 Initial Analysis: Chances of a Victory for Trump in the Election Increase
Swissquote Bank analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya states that the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally over the weekend has increased his chances of winning the November election. The chances for a victory by Trump, who is positively evaluated by the market according to the analyst, rose to 67 percent on PredictIt after the assassination attempt, compared to 61 percent before. "Although the assassination attempt fuels concerns about a deeply divided America where political violence is gaining the upper hand, it has increased the chances that Trump will win the presidential elections in November," explains the analyst.
09:54 Attack as Campaign Boost? Boese: Germany Prepares for Trump 2.0
The German government has been preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump could return to the White House since before the assassination attempt. As ntv-correspondent Heike Boese summarizes in the RTL/ntv Frühstart:
09:25 "Heated Moments Could Become Extremely Dangerous"
German SPD party chair Saskia Esken, in response to a question about whether the assassination attempt would boost Trump's chances in the election, says: "It's to be expected that he and his supporters will use this incident to further fan the flames. We've seen similar situations in the past that have ended up at the Capitol. These heated moments could become extremely dangerous, not just in terms of a victory." When asked how Germany and the German government should react if Trump wins the presidential elections, Esken says: "It's long been clear that the German government, along with other European governments, will have to draw closer together."
08:48 "Did We Miss Something?" - Consequences for the Secret Service
Following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under scrutiny for failing to provide adequate protection. "The Congress will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the recent tragedy to determine where there were gaps in security and what the American people still need to know," says spokesperson Mike Johnson, a Republican and Trump ally, to NBC. Robert E. McDonald, a professor at the University of New Haven who worked for the Secret Service for 20 years, also tells the "New York Times": "Did we miss something? And if we missed something, we need to stand up and take responsibility for it." McDonald wonders why the Secret Service did not secure the building with snipers.
08:05 Secret Service under Scrutiny: Shots Fired at Trump: "Did the Police Officer Act as the Assassin?"
In the aftermath of the planned assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the Secret Service faces numerous questions. Trump himself has thus far only commented on the incident on Truth Social, and the Republican party convention is approaching. ntv-correspondent Christopher Wittich summarizes the latest developments.
07:34 After the Attack: Joe Biden will not make "Battlefield"
US-President Biden expresses himself in a speech and on social media again about the attack on his political rival Donald Trump. The 81-year-old writes on X: "Political differences are unavoidable in the American democracy. They are part of human nature. But politics should never be a literal battlefield or - God forbid - a deadly battlefield."
06:57 The Attack Has Turned Everything Upside Down
Regarding the attack on Donald Trump, the Australian newspaper "Sydney Morning Herald" writes: "US-President Joe Biden faces a delicate balancing act, as America is still reeling from the attack on its biggest political rival. For weeks, Biden had planned to intensify his attacks on Donald Trump in the coming weeks to prove to Democrats that he has the mental and physical strength to beat the turbulent Republican at the November election. The strategy was simple: present the strengths of his performance in the first term, present a bold vision for the future, and go on the offensive against Trump by portraying him as the greatest threat to democracy in the US. But the attack on the former president on Saturday has turned everything upside down. Facing the fear of escalating violence, Biden knows he cannot further fuel the tensions of a country teeming with hostility, anger, and fear."
06:38 A Grand Show is Coming: Trump has Arrived in Milwaukee
After the party primaries in the individual states, both Democrats and Republicans must officially confirm their overall results on a national level. This is done at the respective nomination conventions. The Democrats are meeting for this purpose in mid-August in Chicago in the state of Illinois. The Republican nomination convention, on the other hand, is taking place this time from July 15 to 18 in Milwaukee in the state of Wisconsin. Trump has already arrived in the city. He can present himself for the first time as the clear leader of the Republicans at a nomination convention. In 2016, he entered as an outsider, and in 2020, the Republicans were prevented from holding a large, pompous event due to the pandemic.
06:14 The Trump Attack Affects the Stock Exchange
The Asian stock markets react with uncertainty to the attempted attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Investors are concerned about potential consequences for future US economic policy. At the bond markets, yields for government bonds rose, which experts explain with the expectation of a potentially inflationary and debt-intensive economic policy under a Trump presidency. In addition, stricter immigration laws could worsen the labor market and drive wages up. "The market reaction to a Trump presidency was previously characterized by a stronger dollar and a steeper curve of US government bonds," says Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager at Eastspring Investments in Singapore. "We may observe some of these developments in the coming week if the election chances improve further after this incident."
05:56 Trump: He thinks about it again and again
Donald Trump thinks about the moment before the attempted attack that may have saved his life: a small head movement to better see the screen. This likely prevented a bullet from fatally hitting his head and instead grazed his ear. "The most incredible thing is that I not only turned around, but exactly at the right time and in the right amount," Trump told the "Washington Examiner" during a speech aboard his 757 as he flew to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention's start. "If I had only half turned, it would have hit the back of my head. The other way goes straight through the skull. The chance that I would make a perfect turn is probably less than one in ten percent, so I shouldn't be here."
05:22 Trump: I'm realizing it now
After the attempted attack at a campaign event, Donald Trump calls for calm and unity. "This is a chance to bring the whole country, indeed the whole world, together," Trump told the "Washington Examiner." The incident deeply affected him. He now realizes ("Reality is just setting in"). Trump survived the attack because he turned away from the crowd in the crucial moment. "I rarely turn away from the crowd. If I hadn't done that in this moment, we wouldn't be talking about this today, or?"
04:46 NYT: Explosives in Trump-Attacker's house
More information is coming to light about the Trump attacker. In addition to the rudimentary explosives found in Thomas Matthew Crooks' car, the 20-year-old may have had explosives in his house. The "New York Times" reports this based on sources involved in the investigation.
04:15 Trump-Attacker was a member of a shooting range
According to US media, the Trump attacker was a member of a shooting range. "The Clairton Sportsmen's Club can confirm that Thomas Matthew Crooks was a member," the club's lawyer, Robert Bootay, said in a statement. "Beyond that, the club, in the face of ongoing police investigations, cannot make any further comments on this matter." The Clairton Sportsmen's Club operates a wooded facility in the southern hills of Pittsburgh with a 200-yard shooting range.
03:31 Federal government preparing for Trump's re-election
The German government is preparing for the possibility of a second US presidency for Donald Trump, according to the words of its Transatlantic Coordinator Michael Link. "Besides the intensive preparations of the German government, which are running very intensively but self-evidently confidential behind the scenes, we also need a consensus of the democratic parties, factions, and political foundations," Link told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "I am seeking this consensus regularly and have been networking intensively with the competent colleagues in the CDU and CSU on the topic of preparing for a potential scenario Trump 2.0," says the FDP politician. Previously, the deputy CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn and the Green chairman of the Bundestag European Affairs Committee, Anton Hofreiter, called on Germany to better prepare for a possible Trump re-election.
02:25 Biden calls for de-escalation in campaign
US President Joe Biden urged for calm in the US election campaign following the attack on his predecessor and rival Donald Trump. "We settle our differences at the ballot box. That's how we do it - at the ballot box, not with bullets," Biden said in a rare address to the nation from the Oval Office at the White House. "We need to lower the heated rhetoric in politics." He reminded Americans that they are "neighbors and friends, not enemies." The Democrat expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured in the incident. Biden acknowledged that the campaign had been marked by highly charged political rhetoric but emphasized the high stakes in the upcoming presidential elections.
01:46 Biden resumes campaign planning
Following a brief campaign hiatus 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. He is also scheduled to attend a local campaign event in the desert metropolis of Nevada on Wednesday. Biden had canceled a trip to Texas scheduled for Monday and cut short a weekend stay in Delaware to return to the White House.
01:04 Quiet and frequently bullied: What is known about the shooter Matthew Crooks
The FBI identified the Trump attacker as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. A driver's license photo of Crooks shows a young man with side-parted dark-blond hair, glasses, and a few freckles on his face. Crooks' former classmates described him as a "quiet" student who often seemed "lonely," as reported by ABC News. One classmate said Crooks had been socially withdrawn. He could not remember hearing Crooks talk about politics in general or Trump specifically. Jason Kohler, who claimed to have attended the same high school as the alleged shooter, told reporters that Crooks had been frequently bullied. "He was quiet, but he was just bullied. He was bullied so much." Crooks, who occasionally wore hunter's clothing, was mocked for his clothing style.
00:35 "Next time not miss": Democratic congresswoman fires employee for Facebook post
Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson in the US House of Representatives fired an employee who posted on social media that she wished the Trump attacker had been a better shot. According to "The 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. Oops, that was me who spoke." Thompson, who represents Mississippi's second district, writes on X, expressed gratitude that Trump was okay. He added, "There is no place for political violence in America's democracy."
23:50 No intensification of security measures at Republican Party convention
The security representative for the Republican Party convention, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino of the Secret Service, reports that the measures for the large event have not been intensified yet. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not intend to prohibit weapons in the exterior area of the event venue as an additional precaution. Carrying firearms is protected by state laws, Johnson says. The Mega-Event is scheduled to officially nominate Donald Trump as the presidential candidate of the party in the coming week. Trump is making efforts not to give an impression of weakness: He announced that he will arrive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the federal state on Sunday afternoon (local time) for the party convention.
23:21 Unclear motive for Trump attacker
The motive for the attacker on US presidential candidate Donald Trump remains unclear. "We have no information about the motive of the shooter," says US President Joe Biden in the White House to journalists. Biden urges the public not to make assumptions and to let the law enforcement agencies do their work.
22:53 Financial markets expect "landslide victory for Trump"
Following the attempted attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets need to reposition themselves. The bullet that hit Trump at an election campaign rally could increase his chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect that the markets will be affected, they say. "The election will likely be a landslide. That reduces uncertainty," says Nick Ferres, Chief Investment Manager at Vantage Point Asset Management. Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager of Eastspring Investments in Singapore, expects that the dollar will continue to recover and investors will 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 attack on Donald Trump are reportedly in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania police. At the campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The suspected shooter was shot by security personnel. Trump was slightly injured, and two visitors were seriously injured.
21:57 FBI: Shooter acted alone, no identifiable ideology or mental illness yet
The FBI issues a statement: The suspected shooter acted alone, there are no further threats to security, an FBI representative says. The incident is being classified as a domestic terror 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 discernible indications of an ideology or a mental illness on the part of the suspected shooter. 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 British Prime Minister Starmer calls Trump
According to government sources, the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has contacted the wounded former US President Trump. He condemned the violence and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, it is reported. Trump and the other injured were wished a quick recovery by Starmer, according to the British news agency PA.
21:16 They will be waiting for this: Söder gives US Democrats "recommendation from outside"
"Violence is certainly not a means of resolution", says CSU chief Markus Söder and wishes Donald Trump a speedy recovery after the attack. He assesses the consequences for the presidential campaign and gives the Democrats a tip.
20:47 Trump to travel to Republican Party convention in Wisconsin soon
Only a day after the attack on him, former US President Donald Trump plans to travel to the Republican Party convention in the state of Wisconsin. The Republican presidential candidate wrote 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 cancels trip to Texas
US President Joe Biden cancels a planned trip to Texas at short notice. The White House announced this. Biden had originally planned to leave for the southern state on Monday. After the shootings at Trump's rally in the state of Pennsylvania on Saturday evening local time, Biden had already cut short a weekend stay in Delaware and returned to the government headquarters in Washington.
20:11 Biden announces heightened security measures for Republican Party convention
US President Joe Biden announces a speech to the nation and calls for unity. "We must stand together as a nation", Biden says at the White House and announces that he will address the American people in an official statement from the Oval Office on Monday evening (German night). For the Republican Party convention, which begins on Monday, security measures should be increased, Biden also announces. An independent investigation into the background of the attack is also to be carried out. Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris were informed about the current investigation status by law enforcement and security agencies in the morning.
20:07 Live on ntv: Biden speaks on Trump attack
US President Joe Biden speaks to the hour about the attempted assassination on his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already spoken a few hours after the attack on Saturday and said, "There is no place for this kind of violence in America". He then spoke on the phone with Trump. Biden was briefed on the status of the investigations by the heads of the FBI and the Secret Service, the security agency for presidents and former presidents, in the morning.
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. This was announced by the democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, and he 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 during 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 still critical.
19:13 Some Republicans hold Biden and Democrats accountable
Many Republicans in Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours following the shooting at a campaign event in Butler. According to the "Washington Post", approximately 30 of them directly blame President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for the alleged instigation of the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the crime 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 is all the more true since "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. "That must not happen. It's important now to maintain calm and respect. President Joe Biden did that with his call to Donald Trump," says the FDP politician.
18:06 Trump supporters see conspiracy theories confirmed
The shots at Donald Trump could be decisive for the upcoming US presidential election, explains Frank Umbach. The security expert finds it "incomprehensible" that there was no follow-up on the shooter's hints 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 saw today, my father is a fighter, and he will continue to fight for you and the USA." Ivanka Trump, who had 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
According to information from the "Wall Street Journal," the Trump assassination attempt suspect also had explosives in his car. The car near the crime scene was reportedly secured by the authorities, according to the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used in the crime was reportedly purchased by the father of the alleged suspect, according to the newspaper and ABC News. It is said to be an AR-15 type rifle. The AR-15 was developed in the 1950s, initially for the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version of this weapon. Unlike the military version, it is technically impossible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can still fire a large number of shots in a very short time.
16:59 Melania Trump also speaks out
After the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump has also spoken out. The slain guard was a "Monster" who tried to extinguish "Donald's passion, his laughter, his inventiveness, his love of music, and his enthusiasm," explained the former First Lady of the United States at X. 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 also thanks the Secret Service agents protecting her husband.
16:26 "They're not behind me, they're behind you" - Trump campaign starts fundraising appeal
According to Brad Bannon, a democratic strategist, the incident could be used by Trump. It fits the narrative of the former US President that the country is on the wrong track. "The attempted assassination generates sympathy for Trump," says Bannon. "It confirms the belief of his voters that something fundamental is wrong in this country." Trump's appearances at the four-day Republican nomination 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 analyst who is not a Trump supporter. Hours after the attack, Trump's campaign launched a fundraising appeal via text message. "They're not behind me, they're behind 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 authorities are working intensively to ensure security at the upcoming Republican convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different security agencies, according to Whatley on Fox News. The exact precautions that have been taken were not specified.
15:44 Top advisors to Trump team: "If something seems strange to you, please report it immediately"
Top advisors to Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are reinforcing the armed security presence 24/7 with officers on site. Additional security checks are being conducted. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all staff," quotes the "Washington Post" the 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 to you, please report it immediately to the leadership or a security team on site," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump assassination attemptDuring Trump's campaign speech in Pennsylvania, shots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculations about fireworks, the sound of gunshots, gunmen 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 trying 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 assassination attempt is an opportunity for Biden"
14:03 Trump calls for reconciliation"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. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Republican National Convention takes place from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, he is praying for the wounded, and holds the memory of the slain citizen "in our hearts". Trump had already called for unity in his inaugural address as US President in January 2017.
12:58 NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg shocked by assassination attemptNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is shocked by the assassination attempt on Trump. "I am shocked by the attempted assassination of former President Trump", he writes on Twitter. 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 the shooter's shots and Secret Service shotsThe American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which it appears that both the shooter's shots and the Secret Service's shots, which may have saved Trump's life, 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 accusationThe Secret Service has denied the Republican accusation 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 the Secret Service or the Home Security Ministry denied is absolutely false", said Secret-Service-Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. In fact, the Secret Service had recently increased security measures.
Few hours after the assassination attempt on Trump, Republican Congressman Michael Waltz had said that he had "reliable sources" who told him that there had been repeated requests for stronger intelligence service protection for Trump. Waltz provided no evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump swift recoveryBundespresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns the attack and expresses his condolences to the victim's family: "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 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 deserve swift recovery. My deepest condolences go to the victim's family."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly, instinctively"Seconds after the shots rang out, Donald Trump emerges covered in blood and with a clenched fist towards 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 spinning his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter seems to have noticed the assassin just before the first shotsA video posted on X shows a sharpshooter at the Trump rally at the exact moment the shots were fired. Sharpshooters are deployed at such events 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 telescopic sight. He recoils, just before the shots can be heard, suggesting that he became aware of the shooter as a threat in that moment. The shooter was soon shot dead.
09:23 Participant warned of the assassin before the attackBefore the shots were fired at Trump's campaign rally in Butler, participants had noticed a man with a rifle on a roof nearby. One of them, Greg Smith, alerted on-site security: "Hey man, there's a guy with a rifle on the roof", he later told the BBC. The response was: "Ha, what?", as if the security personnel had not known what was going on. "I thought: Why is Trump still speaking, why didn't they get him off the stage? ... The next thing I heard were five gunshots."
09:15 Scholz condemns attack as abhorrentBundeskanzler Olaf Scholz comments on the assassination attempt against Trump on X: "The assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is abhorrent. I wish him a swift recovery. My thoughts are also with those affected by the attack. Such acts threaten democracy."
08:28 Photographer captures image of possible projectileDoug Mills, a photographer for the "New York Times", apparently took a photo by chance in the exact moment a bullet narrowly missed Donald Trump. Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent, told the newspaper that "the photo could very well show the air displacement caused by a bullet". In principle, 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 images per second. The photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds.
08:00 Alleged Shooter Identified as RepublicanThe FBI has identified the suspected shooter. It is a man named Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old victim who was killed during the shooting attempt 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 a registered 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" points out that Crooks was 17 years old at the time of the donation. He registered as a Republican Party member in September 2021 when he turned 18.
07:46 Expert: "Secret Service needs to answer some questions"Donald Trump, as an ex-President and candidate, is under the protection of the Secret Service. There are highest security precautions at all campaign events, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It remains to be worked out how it was possible that a shooter was able to attack, despite these measures.
07:38 World leaders react in shockWorld leaders reacted in shock to the attack on Ex-President Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen writes on X, she is deeply shocked, wishes Trump a quick recovery, and expresses her condolences to the family of the innocent victim. "Political violence has no place in a democracy", she writes. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expresses similar sentiments. "My thoughts are with former President Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans."
The United Nations also condemns the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of political violence", explains the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres. "He wishes President Trump a quick recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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." Zelensky also wishes Trump a quick recovery.
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden stated that he was grateful that Trump was safe and doing well. In the USA, "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 and finds it "surprising" that the shooter was able to fire several shots. In response to a question about security measures, he says that such questions must 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 located", Rojek says. "And they are the ones responsible for securing the crime scene." A representative of the Secret Service was not present at the press conference. "Nobody was available", so Rojek.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, apparently unharmedA Trump spokesperson posted 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 announced that the Nomination Convention will go ahead as planned; the Convention will take place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee. There, Trump will officially be nominated as the Republican Presidential candidate. US President Biden announced that the Democrats will 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, said the suspected shooter fired "multiple shots towards the stage" and was located "on an elevated position" outside the event venue. 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 at Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the investigation of the "Washington Post". The FBI officially stated that they have not yet identified the shooter but are "close to identification". The shooter is dead. According to the 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 discharged from hospitalTrump was discharged from the hospital late Saturday evening (local time), according to a report by the news agency Bloomberg.
06:01 FBI confirms attempted assassination of Ex-President Trump at rallyFollowing the shootings at a campaign rally in the US state of Pennsylvania, the FBI has classified the incident as an "attempted assassination" against former President Donald Trump. "This is an attempt to assassinate our former President Donald Trump," FBI Agent Kevin Rojek said in Butler, the location of the rally. Trump was injured in the ear by the gunfire, according to law enforcement reports. One bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured.
04:41 Biden calls Trump after attackUS President Joe Biden personally called Trump after the attack, the White House announced, without disclosing the contents of the conversation. On Sunday, Biden will be briefed by law enforcement agencies about the status of the investigation.
03:58 Republicans plan to hold Convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold the Nomination Convention in Milwaukee 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 are expected to gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin starting Monday to officially nominate the 78-year-old as their Presidential candidate.
03:54 Authorities: Shooter fired from an elevated positionAt the attack on Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, the suspected 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, a seriously injured person was reported.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in the earThe former US President Donald Trump, according to his own statements, was injured by a bullet at a campaign event. "I was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear", Trump writes on his self-founded platform Truth Social.
00:33 Shots fired at Trump: Security guards escort ex-President off stageThe former US President Donald Trump was escorted off stage at a campaign event in the state of Pennsylvania by security personnel. Before that, shots were heard. In the images, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
Sentence 1: In light of the U.S. Presidential Election 2024, political analysts are closely watching the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, as some believe it could impact his potential candidacy or influence voter sentiment towards Politics.
Sentence 2: Despite the attempt on his life, Joe Biden and Donald Trump continue to engage in harsh Political rhetoric leading up to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, with some critics suggesting that their actions could further exacerbate tensions in American society.
