15:04 Government spokesperson: Biden not to be written off in US election campaign
The German government still sees a possibility that Joe Biden may win the election in November despite the attack on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. "Joe Biden's campaign skills should not be underestimated," says Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. "It's too early to believe that the American presidential election has been decided." Other politicians like Bavaria's Minister-President Markus Söder have urged Biden to withdraw due to his now hopeless chances against Trump. Hebestreit emphasizes that it is natural in democracies for there to always be the possibility of a government change. "That's what makes democracies attractive to voters, to citizens," he says.
14:41 No direct contact between Scholz and Trump after the attack
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not sought direct contact with Republican US Presidential candidate Donald Trump since the attack. However, there have been "dialogues" with both Democrats and Republicans, emphasizes Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. Scholz met with representatives of both parties in the United States in the past week. The German government condemns the attack on Trump clearly. "That was a despicable crime," says Hebestreit.
14:18 Expert accuses Secret Service of "monstrous failure"
After the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under heavy criticism. "The protective detail was outside the Secret Service zone. What is that, then?" asks Richard Painter, a White House employee under the former President George W. Bush and now a law professor at the University of Minnesota. He sees a "monstrous failure" and demands a detailed investigation. If a roof is within the range of a rifle to reach a President or Presidential candidate, "then it is the Secret Service's job to be on that roof," says Painter. "Have they ever heard of the Texas Book Depository?" That is the building in Dallas, Texas, from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy in 1963 with a rifle.
13:58 Trump Rally in Milwaukee: Thousands of additional police in action
Security measures will be particularly strict at the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee. Up to 4500 additional police officers from the surrounding area will be deployed in addition to the city's police forces to secure the RNC, according to the local newspaper "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel." The area around the Fiserv Forum is declared a no-fly zone for drones for the duration of the convention. Outside the area, where the personal protection detail of the Secret Service is responsible, weapons are allowed to be carried during the convention in accordance with Wisconsin state law. The Secret Service assures, "we are fully prepared." The coordinator for the convention's Secret Service, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, declares, "I trust that the event will be protected at the highest level of security measures."
13:35 Trump Attack Brings Chinese Firm's Stocks Soaring
Following the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, a Chinese technology firm saw its stocks shine at the stock exchange - all due to its name. The shares of software maker 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 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 assassination attempt on Donald Trump is in full swing. Political scientist Andrew B. Denison believes that the former president and the Republicans will adopt the martyr role and continue to fuel political hatred:
12:37 Trump Photos T-Shirts Become the New Sales Hit
Following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the online sale of T-shirts with images of the bleeding ex-president has skyrocketed within a short time. On the T-Shirts, which cost between nine and forty dollars, 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 US within three hours," the businesswoman told media in Hong Kong.
11:55 Many Years Ago: 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. The accusation of the Republicans against the Democrats is "hypocritical," says historian Annika Brockschmidt and explains how political opponents became enemies:
11:19 "The Example the Political Leaders Give in the Next Few Days is Crucial"
Regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the start of the Republican Party convention, where he is to be officially declared the presidential candidate, the "Los Angeles Times" writes: "The example the political leaders give in the next few days is crucial for how the rest of the election campaign will unfold. (...) Trump and the leading Republicans, who are gathering in Milwaukee this week, bear a special responsibility for not using the attack as a tool to inflame their base. They must recognize that the US is a powder keg right now, and that heated rhetoric should be toned down before sparks fly. For the moment, they must recognize that violence, once unleashed, is nonpartisan." Previously, President Biden had already called on US citizens to renounce violence.
10:42 After Shots on Trump: "The Divide in the USA Will Get Deeper"
Could the foiled 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 in the Election for Trump Increase
First Analysis: Chances of a Victory in the November Election for Trump Are Rising, 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 attack, according to data from the online tool PredictIt. "Although the attack 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," the analyst explains.
09:54 The Attack as a Campaign Boost? Boese: Germany is Preparing for Trump 2.0
The German government has been preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump will 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 Become Extremely Dangerous"
German SPD party chair Saskia Esken, in an interview with RTL/ntv Frühstart, answers the question of whether the attack will increase Trump's chances in the election: "It's to be expected, yes, that he and his supporters will use this incident to further fan the flames. We have also experienced such situations in the past, which have ended up at the Capitol. Such 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, the SPD chair says: "It's only natural that the German government, along with European governments, is aware that we need to draw closer together."
08:48 "Have We Overlooked Something?" - Consequences Threaten the Secret Service
Following the attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under scrutiny for its failure to provide adequate protection. "The Congress will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident to determine where there were gaps in security and what else the American people need to know," says spokesperson Mike Johnson, a Republican and Trump supporter, to NBC. Robert E. McDonald, a professor at the University of New Haven who worked for the Secret Service for 20 years, also comments in the "New York Times": "Have we overlooked something? And if we have overlooked something, we must stand up and take responsibility." McDonald wonders why the intelligence agency did not secure the building with snipers.
08:05 Secret Service under Scrutiny: Shots Fired at Trump: "Perhaps the Assailant was Following the Police Officer"
Following the planned attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service faces 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 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 lethal battlefield."
06:57 The Attack Has Turned Everything Upside DownRegarding the attack on Donald Trump, the Australian newspaper "Sydney Morning Herald" writes: "US-President Joe Biden stands before a delicate balancing act, as America is still reeling from the attack on its 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 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 MilwaukeeAfter the primary elections in the individual states, both Democrats and Republicans must officially confirm their overall results on a national level. This happens at the respective nomination conventions. The Democrats will gather for this purpose in mid-August in Chicago in the state of Illinois. The Republican nomination convention, on the other hand, 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 Attack Affects the Stock ExchangeThe 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 following this incident."
05:56 Trump: He keeps thinking about the small head movement before the assassination
Donald Trump keeps thinking about the moment before the assassination attempt that may have saved his life: a small head movement to better see the screen. Thus, a bullet likely missed hitting him in the head and instead grazed his ear. "The most incredible thing was that I didn't just turn 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 beginning of the Republican National Convention. "If I had only half turned, it would have hit the back of my brain. 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 assassination at a campaign event, Donald Trump called 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 disturbed him. He now realizes ("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, or?"
04:46 NYT: Explosives found in Trump-Assassination suspect's house
More information is coming to light about the Trump assassination suspect. Besides 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 trusted sources.
04:15 Trump-Assassination suspect 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, in light of ongoing police investigations, cannot provide any further comment 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 German government planning for Trump's re-election
The German government is preparing for a possible 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 and self-evidently behind the scenes, it also requires a coalition of the democratic parties, factions, and political foundations," Link told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "I am seeking this coalition regularly and have been networking intensively with the competent colleagues in CDU and CSU on the topic of preparation for a possible scenario Trump 2.0," says the FDP politician. Previously, the deputy CDU faction 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 political 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 in the White House. "We need to lower the heated rhetoric in politics." He reminded Americans that they were "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's annual convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to attend a local campaign event in the desert metropolis in the US state of Nevada. Biden had canceled a trip to Texas scheduled for Monday and cut short a weekend stay in the state of 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 in 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 claimed Crooks had been socially withdrawn. He could not recall hearing Crooks speak about politics in general or Trump specifically. Jason Kohler, who 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 in the leg": Democratic congresswoman fires staffer for Facebook post
Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson in the US House of Representatives fired a staffer who posted on social media that she wished the Trump attacker had shot him in a more precise location. According to the "New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but take shooting lessons, so you don't miss next time. Ups, that was me who spoke." Thompson, who represents Mississippi's second district, wrote on X, expressing gratitude that Trump was okay. He added that there is no place for political violence in America's democracy.
23:50 No escalation of security measures at Republican Party convention
The security representative for the Republican Party convention, Audrey Gibson-Cichino of the Secret Service, reports that the measures for the large event have not been intensified yet. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not plan to ban weapons in the external area of the event venue as additional precautions. 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 trying to avoid giving an impression of weakness: He announced that he will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US federal state for the party convention on Sunday afternoon (local time).
23:21 Unclear motive for Trump attacker
The motive of the person who attacked US presidential candidate Donald Trump remains unclear. "We have no information about the motive of the shooter," US President Joe Biden said at the White House to journalists. Biden called on the public not to speculate and to let the law enforcement agencies do their work.
22:53 Financial markets expect "landslide victory for Trump"
After the attempted attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets need to reposition themselves. The bullet that hit Trump at an election rally could increase his chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect the markets to be volatile and may focus on a steeper yield curve for US Treasury bonds. "The election is likely to be a landslide. That reduces uncertainty," says Nick Ferres, Chief Investment Manager at Vantage Point Asset Management. Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager at Eastspring Investments in Singapore, expects the dollar to continue its recovery and investors to focus on a higher return on US government bonds.
22:07 Injured visitors in stable condition
The two people who were seriously injured in the attempted attack on Donald Trump are in stable condition, according to the police in Pennsylvania. At the election rally, a man from the audience was killed. The suspected shooter was shot by security guards. 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 issued a statement: The suspected shooter acted alone, and there is no further danger to security, an FBI representative said. 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, no clear indications of an ideology or mental illness have been found for the suspected shooter yet. 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, expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, and wished them a quick recovery, the British news agency PA reported.
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
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 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 of the latest investigation status by law enforcement and security agencies in the morning.
20:07 Live on ntv: Biden speaks about Trump attack
US President Joe Biden speaks about the attempted assassination on his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already spoken out a few hours after the attack on Saturday and said, "There is no place in America for this kind of violence". He then called Trump. Biden was briefed on the investigation status by the heads of the FBI and the Secret Service, the security service 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 for former US President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and family man. Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced this and said he had spoken to his wife and daughters. The man died "as a hero" and threw himself in front of his family to protect them when the shots rang out at the Trump rally. He was a "passionate supporter" of Trump. In addition to the man who died, two other spectators were injured. Shapiro said their condition was critical.
19:13 Some Republicans place blame on Biden and the Democrats
A large majority of 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 accuse President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists of instigating 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: Copycats or Avengers more likely
The former German ambassador to the US, Wolfgang Ischinger, warns of the danger of a spiral of violence in the US election campaign. "Copycats - against Trump -, or avengers - against Joe Biden - are more likely," he tells the "Tagesspiegel". This is all the more true 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. President Joe Biden did this 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 "inexplicable" that there were no follow-up investigations into the shooter 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 alongside 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 acknowledging 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 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, technically speaking, it is not possible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in a very short time.
16:59 Melania Trump also speaks out
Following the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump has also spoken out. The slain guard was a "monster" who had 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 verge of a devastating change." Melania Trump also thanked her husband's personal security team.
16:26 "You're not behind me, you're behind you" - Trump campaign launches fundraising appeal
In the opinion of 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 said. "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," said Chip Felkel, a Republican political analyst who is not a Trump supporter. Hours after the incident, Trump's campaign launched a fundraising appeal via text message. "You're not behind me, you're behind you," the message to voters read.
16:08 Concerns before the convention: Republicans working with 40 security agencies
Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley assured that the authorities were working intensively to ensure security at the upcoming convention in Milwaukee. They were working with 40 different security agencies, according to Whatley in the Fox News channel.
15:44 Top advisors from Trump's campaign team: "Please report anything suspicious to us immediately"
Top advisors from Donald Trump's campaign team urged caution. "We are increasing our 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 our staff," quoted 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 anything seems suspicious to you, please report it immediately to the leadership or a security team on site," it continued.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump attackAt Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania, shots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculations 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 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 attack 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 platform "Truth Social". He is already looking forward to speaking in Wisconsin "to our great country" this week. In Milwaukee in the US state of Wisconsin, the Republican nominating convention takes place from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, he is praying for the wounded, and keeps 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 attempted assassinationNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is shocked by the assassination attempt on Trump. "I am shocked by the attempted assassination of the former President Trump", he writes on Twitter. He wishes him a quick recovery and is thinking of the victims. Political violence has no place in democracies. The NATO allies stand 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 shots and the shots that probably saved Trump's life can be heard. The attack caused panic among the onlookers. 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 Department denied 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 had said that he had "reliable sources" who told him that there had been repeated requests for stronger intelligence service protection for Trump. Waltz did not provide any evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump swift recoveryBundespresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns the attack and expresses 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 incitement 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 instinctively"Seconds after the shots rang out, Donald Trump is seen raising his fist and shouting 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 spinning his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter seemed 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 in that moment. The shooter was soon shot dead.
09:23 Participant warned of the assassin before the attackParticipants at Trump's campaign rally in Butler had noticed a man with a rifle on a roof nearby before the shooting. One of them, Greg Smith, alerted on-site security: "Hey man, there's a guy with a rifle on the roof," he said later to the BBC. The response was: "Ha, what?", as if the security personnel didn't 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 attack as abhorrentBundeskanzler Olaf Scholz comments on the attempted assassination of 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 of violence 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 projectile." In general, it is possible to photograph a flying bullet, Harrigan said. 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 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 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 the former 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 clarified how such an attacker could still manage to attack.
07:38 World Leaders React ShockedWorld leaders reacted shocked to the attack on former 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 innocent victim's family. "Political violence has no place in a democracy", writes von der Leyen. 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 condemns this act of political violence in the strongest terms", explains the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "He wishes President Trump a quick recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares that 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.
Biden had already stated on Saturday evening (local time) 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", says Rojek. "And they are 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, which 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 Nominating Convention will go ahead as planned; the Convention will take place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee. There, Trump will be officially nominated as the Republican Presidential candidate. US President Biden announced 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, stated that the shooter had "fired several shots towards the stage" and had been on "an elevated position" outside the event venue. This suggests that a roof near the gathering 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 to the "Washington Post". The FBI officially stated that they have not yet identified the shooter, but are "close" to doing so. 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 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 attempted assassination against our former President Donald Trump," FBI Agent Kevin Rojek said in Butler, the location of the rally. Trump was injured in the ear, according to law enforcement reports, and one bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured.
04:41 Biden calls Trump after attackUS President Joe Biden called Trump personally 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, it was further stated.
03:58 Republicans plan to hold Convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold the Nominating Convention in Milwaukee this week as planned, despite the attack on their Presidential candidate Donald Trump. The party and Trump's campaign team made this announcement in a joint statement. The Republicans will 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 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, it was reported that one person was seriously injured.
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 during a campaign appearance. "I was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump wrote 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 during a campaign appearance 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.
In light of the ongoing United States Presidential Election 2024, some political figures in Germany continue to hold hope for Democrat Joe Biden's victory. While others like Bavaria's Minister-President Markus Söder have suggested Biden's withdrawal due to his diminishing chances against Republican Donald Trump, Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit emphasizes the inherent nature of democracies to always allow for the possibility of government change.
Regarding the Republican US Presidential candidate Donald Trump, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has avoided direct contact since the attack, but there have been dialogues with both Democrats and Republicans. The German government strongly condemns the attack as a despicable crime.
