13:58 Trump appearance in Milwaukee: Thousands of additional police on duty
At the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee, security measures will be particularly strict. According to the local newspaper "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel," up to 4500 additional police officers from the surrounding area will be assigned to secure the RNC in addition to the city's police forces. The area around the Fiserv Forum will also be declared a no-fly zone for drones during the duration of the convention. Outside the area, where the Secret Service is responsible for personal protection, carrying weapons is permitted during the convention in the vicinity of the RNC, in accordance with Wisconsin state laws. The Secret Service has assured, "we are fully prepared." The coordinator for the convention's Secret Service, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, stated, "I trust that the event will be protected at the highest level of security measures."
13:35 Trump Attack Boosts Chinese Tech Firm's Stock Market Value - Due to Its Name
Following the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, a Chinese technology company shone on the stock exchange - all because of its name. The shares of software provider Wisesoft surged by the daily maximum of ten percent at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The company name in Mandarin, Chuan Da Zhi Sheng, sounds remarkably similar to the Chinese translation of the sentence "Trump wins big." In China, stock market speculation linked to current events is widespread. This often leads to price swings 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 of Donald Trump is in full swing. Political scientist Andrew B. Denison believes that the former president and the Republicans will assume the role of martyrs and continue to fuel political hatred:
12:37 Trump Photos T-Shirts Become New Bestsellers
Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, sales of T-shirts with images of the wounded ex-president skyrocketed within a short time. On the T-Shirts, priced between nine and forty dollars, Trump is shown with a bloody face, raising his fist defiantly. Printed on them are slogans like "Bulletproof," "Legends never die," and "Shooting makes me stronger." The 25-year-old Li Jinwei, who sells products on the Chinese platform Taobao from Alibaba, quickly designed T-Shirts when she heard about the attack. "We had over 2000 orders from China and the US within three hours," the businesswoman told media in Hong Kong.
11:55 Many Years Ago: The Man "Who Destroyed American Politics"
The gunshots at Donald Trump during a campaign rally mark the temporary low point of the polarizing battle between political factions in the US. The accusations of the Republicans against the Democrats are "hypocritical," says historian Annika Brockschmidt and explains how political opponents became enemies:
11:19 "The example that political leaders will give in the coming days is crucial"
According to the "Los Angeles Times," the attempted assassination on Ex-President Donald Trump and the beginning of the Republican Party convention, where he is set to be officially nominated as the presidential candidate, is crucial in determining how the rest of the election campaign will unfold. (...) Trump and the top Republicans gathering in Milwaukee this week carry a particular responsibility to not use the attack as a means to inflame their base. They must recognize that the US is a powder keg right now, and heated rhetoric could spark sparks. For the moment, they must recognize that violence, once unleashed, is bipartisan. Previously, President Biden had already called on US citizens to renounce violence.
10:42 After Shots on Trump: "The divide in the USA is getting deeper"
Could the attempted assassination on Donald Trump lead to an inner political reconciliation for the American society? Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees no signs of it. On the contrary, the rift in the country could worsen.
10:13 First Analyses: Chances of a Victory in the Election for Trump are rising
The attempted assassination on former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally over the weekend has increased his chances of winning the November election, according to Ipek Ozkardeskaya, analyst at Swissquote Bank. The chances for a victory by Trump, who is positively evaluated by the market according to the analyst, rose to 67 percent, compared to 61 percent before the assassination attempt. "Although the assassination attempt fuels concerns about a deeply divided America where political violence is gaining ground, it has increased the chances that Trump will win the presidential elections in November," the analyst explains.
09:54 The Attack as a Campaign Boost? Boese: Berlin is preparing for Trump 2.0
The German government has been preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump could return to the White House for some time. Many in political Berlin recall the first term unfavorably, as NTV correspondent Heike Boese summarizes:
09:25 "Heated moments could now become very, very dangerous"
The chairwoman of the SPD, Saskia Esken, says in the RTL/ntv Morning Show in response to the question of whether the assassination attempt will increase Trump's chances of winning: "That's to be expected, yes, that he and especially his supporters will use this incident to further heat up the situation. We have also experienced similar situations in the past, which have ended up in riots at the Capitol, for example. Such heated moments could now become very, very dangerous, not only in terms of a victory in the election." In response to the question of how Germany and the German government should react if Trump wins the presidential elections, the SPD chairwoman says: "It's long been clear that the German government, as well as governments in Europe, are aware that they need to draw closer together."
08:48 "Have we overlooked something?" - Secret Service under scrutiny after Trump shooting
Following the shooting of Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under scrutiny. The service failed to provide adequate protection for the ex-President. "The Congress will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the previous tragedy to determine where security gaps existed and what else the American people need to know," says Mike Johnson, a Republican and Trump supporter, speaking 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": "Have we overlooked something? And if we have, we must 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 fire: Shots fired at Trump: "Was the police officer the assassin's accomplice?"
Following the planned shooting of Donald Trump, the Secret Service must answer many questions. Trump himself has so far only commented on Truth Social regarding the incident, and the Republican Party convention is approaching. ntv-correspondent Christopher Wittich summarizes the latest developments.
07:34 After shooting: Biden doesn't want a "battlefield"
US President Biden spoke out again on the shooting of his political opponent Donald Trump, both in a speech and on social media. The 81-year-old wrote on X: "Political differences are inevitable in American democracy. They are part of human nature. But politics should never be a literal battlefield, God forbid, a deadly battlefield."
06:57 The attack has turned everything upside down
The Australian newspaper "Sydney Morning Herald" writes about the shooting of Donald Trump: "US President Joe Biden faces a delicate balancing act as America continues to reel from the shooting of his biggest political rival. After weeks of discussions following the TV debate, 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 rowdy Republicans in the November election. The strategy was simple: present the strengths of his accomplishments in his 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 shooting of the former president on Saturday has turned everything upside down. Facing the fear of escalating violence, Biden knows he cannot afford to further inflame 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 primary elections in the individual states, both the Democrats and the Republicans must officially confirm their overall results on a national level. This is done at the respective nomination conventions. The Democrats will meet for this purpose in mid-August in Chicago in the state of Illinois. The Republican nomination convention, however, takes 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 assassination attempt affects the stock market
Asian stock markets react with uncertainty to the attempted assassination of US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Investors are concerned about potential implications for future US economic policy. Bond yields for government bonds increased, which experts attribute to the expectation of a potentially inflationary and debt-intensive economic policy under a Trump presidency. Additionally, stricter immigration laws could complicate the labor market and drive wages up.
"I've been thinking about that head movement ever since the assassination attempt"
Donald Trump reflects on the head movement that likely saved his life during the assassination attempt: a small head movement that allowed him to see the screen better. The bullet missed him fatally in the head and instead hit his ear. "The most incredible thing is that I not only turned around but did so at just the right moment and to just the right degree," Trump told the "Washington Examiner" during a speech on board his 757 as he flew to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. "If I had only turned half around, it would have hit the back of my head. The other way would have gone straight through my skull. The chance of me making a perfect turn was probably less than one in ten percent, so I shouldn't be here."
"Reality is just setting in"
After the assassination attempt at a campaign rally, Donald Trump calls for calm and unity. "This is a chance for the whole country, indeed the whole world, to come together," Trump told the "Washington Examiner." The incident deeply affected him. He now understands what happened ("Reality is just setting in"). Trump survived the attack because he turned away from the crowd at the crucial moment. "I rarely turn away from the crowd. If I hadn't done that in this moment, we wouldn't be having this conversation, would we?"
"New York Times: Explosives found in Trump assassination suspect's house"
More information is coming to light about the Trump assassination suspect. In addition to the rudimentary explosives found in Thomas Matthew Crooks' car, the 20-year-old may have also had explosives in his house. The "New York Times" reports this based on sources involved in the investigation.
"Thomas Matthew Crooks was a member of a shooting range"
According to US media, the Trump assassination suspect 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 cannot make any further comments on this matter due to ongoing police investigations." The Clairton Sportsmen's Club operates a wooded facility in the southern hills of Pittsburgh with a 200-yard shooting range.
03:31 German government preparing for potential second presidency of Trump
The German government is preparing for a possible second presidency of Donald Trump, according to its Transatlantic Coordinator Michael Link. "Besides the intensive preparations of the German government, which are running very intensively and naturally 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 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 Unions faction Jens Spahn and the green chairman of the Bundestag European Affairs Committee, Anton Hofreiter, had called on Germany to better prepare for a potential victory by Trump.
02:25 Biden calls for de-escalation in campaign
US President Joe Biden urged for de-escalation in the US campaign following the attack on his predecessor and 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 temperature in politics." He reminded Americans that they were "neighbors and friends, not enemies." Biden expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured in the incident. He acknowledged that the campaign had been marked by highly heated political rhetoric but emphasized the high stakes of the upcoming presidential elections.
01:46 Biden resumes campaign planning
Following a brief campaign pause after the attack on his predecessor and political opponent Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden plans to make public appearances in the coming days. According to White House sources, Biden will visit the NAACP convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to participate in a local campaign event in the desert metropolis in the US state of Nevada. Biden had canceled a Monday trip to Texas and cut short a weekend stay in the state of Delaware to return to the White House.
01:04 Still and frequently bullied: What is known about the shooter Matthew Crooks
The FBI identified the Trump attacker as the 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 discuss politics in general or Trump in particular. Jason Kohler, who attended the same high school as the alleged shooter, told reporters that Crooks had been 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 shoot in the wrong place": US Democrat fires employee for Facebook post
Democratic US Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi fired an employee who posted on social media that she wished the Trump assassin had better aim. According to "New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but please take marksmanship lessons so you don't shoot the wrong person next time. Oops, that wasn't me who spoke." Thompson, who represents Mississippi's second district in the US House of Representatives, writes on X, expresses gratitude that Trump is doing well. He adds that 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 shares that measures for the large event have not been intensified yet. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not see the possibility of banning weapons in the external area of the event venue in Wisconsin as an additional precaution. Carrying firearms is protected by state laws, he says. At the Mega-Event, Donald Trump is expected to be officially nominated as the party's presidential candidate this week. Trump is trying to avoid giving the impression of weakness: He announced that he would travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US federal state on Sunday afternoon (local time) for the party convention.
23:21 Biden: Motive of the shooter still unclear
After the shooting at US presidential candidate Donald Trump, the motive of the shooter is still unclear. "We don't have any information on the motive of the shooter," says US President Joe Biden at 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"
After the attempted assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets need to re-evaluate. The bullet that hit Trump at a campaign rally could increase his chances of winning - and thus, investors expect the markets to be volatile based on this, they say. "The election is likely to be a landslide victory. This reduces 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 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 shooting attempt on Donald Trump are in stable condition, according to the police in Pennsylvania. At the campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The alleged shooter was shot by security guards. Trump was lightly injured, and two visitors were seriously injured.
21:57 FBI: The suspect acted alone, no ideology identifiable yet
The FBI issues a warning: The alleged shooter acted alone, there are no further threats to security, an FBI representative stated. 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 indications of an ideology or a psychological condition of the alleged attacker so far. The weapon was legally purchased, presumably by the suspect's father. Bomb experts have secured a suspicious device in the alleged attacker's car, which has been taken to the lab for further investigation.
21:42 Starmer phones Trump
Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has phoned Trump, according to government sources. He condemned the violence and expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, the British news agency PA reports. Starmer wished Trump and the other injured a quick recovery.
21:16 Soder gives Democrats an outside recommendation
"Violence is certainly not a means of dispute resolution," says CSU chief Markus Soeder and wishes 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 soon
Just one 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 writes on the online platform Truth Social that he will leave for Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon local time and will not change his schedule.
20:39 Biden cancels trip to Texas
US President Joe Biden cancels a planned trip to Texas. The White House announced this. Biden had originally planned to travel to the southern state on Monday. After the shootings at Trump on Saturday evening local time in the state of Pennsylvania, 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 and calls for national unity
US President Joe Biden announces a speech to the nation and calls for unity as a nation. "We must come together as a nation," Biden says at the White House and announces that he will deliver an official address to the American people in the evening (in the German night to Monday) from the Oval Office. For the Republican Party convention, which begins on Monday, Biden also announces heightened security measures. He also calls for an independent investigation into the background of the attack. In the morning, Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris were briefed by law enforcement and security agencies on the latest developments in the investigation.
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 on Saturday just a few hours after the incident and declared, "there's no place for this kind of violence in America." He then called Trump. Biden was informed 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, about the status of the investigations.
19:43 Firefighter threw himself in front of family and died "as a hero"
The man killed during a campaign appearance by former US President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and a 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 at the Trump rally. He was a "passionate supporter" of Trump. In addition to the one man in the crowd who died, two other spectators were injured. Shapiro said their condition was still critical.
19:13 Many Republicans see blame with Biden and the Democrats
The overwhelming 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 President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for the alleged instigation of the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the act and his statement that "political violence must be denounced by everyone."
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 violence spiral 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. "That must not happen. It's important now to maintain calm and respect. That's what President Joe Biden did with his call to Trump," says the FDP politician.
18:06 Trump supporters see confirmed conspiracy theories
The shots at Donald Trump could be decisive for the upcoming US presidential election, explains Frank Umbach. The security expert finds it "inexplicable" that there were no follow-up actions 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 express themselves
Donald Trump's children 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 for her father's life. "Political violence is never the answer", she writes, thanks the law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service, and pays tribute to the victims. "As you all saw 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 would-be assassin also had explosives in his car
The Trump assassin, according to the "Wall Street Journal", also had explosives in his car. The car was reportedly secured near the crime scene, reports the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used in the attack 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 AR-15 was developed in the 1950s, initially for the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version of this weapon. Technically speaking, it is not possible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in very short order.
16:59 Now Melania Trump speaks out
After the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump also speaks out. The man who was killed in the attack 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 Secret Service agents protecting her husband.
16:26 "They are not behind me, they are behind you" - Trump campaign launches 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", Bannon says. "It also 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 launches a fundraising appeal via text message to voters. "They are not behind me, they are behind you", reads the message.
16:08 Concerns before the Republican Party Convention: Republicans working with 40 law enforcement agenciesRepublican Party Chairman Michael Whatley assures that the law enforcement agencies are working intensely to ensure security at the upcoming Republican Party Convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different law enforcement agencies, as detailed by Whatley on Fox News, regarding the specific preparations.
15:44 Top Advisor to Trump Campaign Team: "Please report anything suspicious immediately"Top advisors to Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are increasing armed security presence 24/7 with officers on site. Additional security checks are being conducted. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of all staff," quotes the "Washington Post" Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election. Please report anything suspicious immediately to the leadership or the on-site security team," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump assassination attemptDuring Trump's campaign speech in Pennsylvania, gunshots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculations 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 the situation. "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 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 is taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, "I pray for the wounded, and we hold 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 NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg shocked by assassination attemptNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is shocked by the attack on Trump. "I am appalled by the attempted assassination of former President Trump," he writes on X. He wishes Trump a quick 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 the Secret Service's shotsThe American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which it appears that both the shooter's gunshots and the Secret Service's shots can be heard. The assassination attempt caused panic among the onlookers. The recording was made from outside the area where the rally took place, according to TMZ.
11:40 Secret Service refutes Republican's allegationThe Secret Service has refuted the allegation that they had denied additional security resources to Trump in the last few 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 Ministry is absolutely false", said Secret-Service-Spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. In fact, the Secret Service had recently increased security measures.
A few hours after the attack, Republican Representative Michael Waltz stated that he had "reliable sources" who said that there had been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Waltz did not provide any evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump a speedy recoveryBundespresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the family of the victim: "I condemn the attack on the 45th US President, Donald J. Trump", Steinmeier wrote 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 election campaigns and debates! Democracy tolerates sharp controversies - but violence destroys democracy. Donald J. Trump and the injured person wish a speedy recovery. My deepest condolences go to the family of the victim of the attack."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly and instinctively"Seconds after the shots were fired, Donald Trump was seen getting up from the crowd with a clenched fist towards 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 the assassin just before the first shotsA video posted on X shows a sharpshooter at the Trump rally in exactly the 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. Shortly thereafter, the shooter was shot.
09:23 Participant warned security 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 near the venue. One of them, Greg Smith, 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: "Huh?", as if the security personnel did not know 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 attempted attack on Trump as despicableGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the assassination attempt against Trump: "The attempt on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a quick recovery. My thoughts are also with the people affected by the attack. Such acts 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 that the photo "could very well show the air displacement from a projectile." In general, 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 seconds.
08:00 Alleged shooter registered as a RepublicanThe FBI identified the alleged shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He is a 20-year-old man from the small town of Bethel Park in the US state of Pennsylvania, about 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 points out that Crooks was only 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 an ex-President and candidate, is under the protection of the Secret Service. There are highest security measures in place at all campaign events, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It remains to be worked out how such an attacker was able to approach, despite these precautions.
07:38 World leaders express shockWorld leaders reacted in shock to the attack on 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 expressed similar sentiments. "My thoughts are with former President Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans."
The United Nations also condemned the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of political violence," the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. "He wishes President Trump a swift recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also shared his shock. "I am appalled by the news of the attack," he wrote. "Such violence has no justification and no place in the world. Never should violence prevail." Zelensky also wished Trump a swift recovery.
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden expressed his gratitude that Trump was safe and in good health. In the US, "there is no place for this kind of violence," Biden said.
07:21 Open Questions to the Secret ServiceFBI agent Kevin Rojek states at a press conference that it was "surprising" that the protector was able to fire multiple shots. In response to questions about security measures, he states that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Despite its name, the Secret Service is not a secret service, but rather (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 sites 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", Rojek says.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, apparently unharmedA 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 shot from a roof near the rallyAnthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, says that the suspect fired "multiple shots towards the stage" and was located "on an elevated position outside of the event site". This would suggest that a roof near the gathering was meant.
06:39 Shooter is apparently a 20-year-old from PennsylvaniaThe person who shot Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the investigation of 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 the Pennsylvania police, it is too early to say whether it was a lone gunman. However, 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 murder against ex-President Trump at rallyThe US Federal Police FBI classified the incident at a campaign rally in the US state of Pennsylvania as an "attempted murder" against former President Donald Trump. FBI agent Kevin Rojek in Butler, the location of the rally, states that it was "an attempted murder against our former President Donald Trump". According to official reports, Trump was injured in the ear by the shots, and in addition to the alleged shooter, a spectator was killed and two others were seriously injured.
03:58 Republicans plan to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold their nomination convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as scheduled this week, according to a joint statement from the party and Trump's campaign team. The Republicans are set to gather in Milwaukee starting on Monday to officially nominate the 78-year-old Trump as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Shooter fired from "elevated position"During the attack on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the alleged shooter opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event venue. One person was killed and two others were seriously injured, according to the Secret Service. Initially, it was reported that one person had been severely injured.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in the earFormer US President Donald Trump has reportedly been injured by a bullet in his ear during the attack at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet that went through the upper part of my right ear," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
00:33 Shots fired at Trump: Secret Service agents escort ex-president off stageFormer US President Donald Trump was escorted off stage by Secret Service agents during a campaign event in Pennsylvania after shots were fired. In images, Trump can be seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
- There have been speculations about the possibility of Donald Trump's return to the White House in the United States Presidency Election 2024, given his increased chances following the attempted assassination as suggested by Ipek Ozkardeskaya, an analyst at Swissquote Bank.
- During the United States Presidency Election 2024 campaign, former President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of de-escalation in politics, expressing his hope that the heated political rhetoric would not escalate further and that the elections would be determined by the ballot box.
