15:06 USA after the attack: Now it's 'Time for Revenge' for Trump and Republicans
The battle for interpretation of the attack on Donald Trump is in full swing. Political scientist Andrew B. Denison expects that the former President and Republicans will assume the martyr role and continue to fan political hatred:
12:37 T-Shirts with Trump Photos are the new sales hit
After the attempted assassination on Donald Trump, online sales of T-Shirts with images of the wounded ex-President quickly soared. On T-Shirts selling for prices between nine and forty dollars, Trump is shown with blood on his 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 incident. "Within three hours, we had over 2000 orders from China and the USA," 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 provisional low point of the polarizing struggle between political factions in the USA. The accusation of the Republicans against the Democrats is "hypocritical," says historian Annika Brockschmidt, and explains how political enemies became enemies:
11:19 "The example that political leaders will give in the coming days is crucial"
Regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the beginning of the Republican Party convention, at which the 78-year-old is to be officially declared the presidential candidate, the "Los Angeles Times" writes: "The example that political leaders will give in the coming days is crucial for how the rest of the election campaign will proceed. (...) Trump and the leading Republicans, who are gathering in Milwaukee this week, bear a special responsibility for not using the assassination attempt 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 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 get deeper"
Could the thwarted assassination attempt on Donald Trump be a moment of inner political reconciliation for American society? Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees no signs of it. On the contrary, the split in the country could worsen.
10:13 First analyses: Chances of a victory at the election for Trump increase
The attempted assassination on the former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally over the weekend has increased his chances of winning the election in November, says 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 after the attack, compared to 61 percent before the attack. "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 Potential Campaign Push? Boese: Berlin Prepares for Trump 2.0
Since the attempted attack, the German government has been preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump could return to the White House. Many in political Berlin have unpleasant memories of his first term, as ntv correspondent Heike Boese summarizes:
09:25 "Heated Moments Could Now Become Extremely Dangerous"
Germany's SPD party chair, Saskia Esken, commented on RTL/ntv Frühstart regarding the question of whether the attack would boost Trump's chances: "It's to be expected, yes, that he and his supporters will use this incident to further stoke the atmosphere. We've experienced similar situations in the past, which ended up at the Capitol, for example. Such heated moments could now become extremely dangerous, not just in terms of a victory in the election." When asked how Germany and the federal government should react if Trump wins the presidency, Esken replied: "It's long been the case that the federal government, along with European governments, are aware that we need to get closer."
08:48 "Did We Miss Something?" - Consequences Threatened at the Secret Service
Following the attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under scrutiny for failing to provide adequate protection. "The Congress will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the tragic event of yesterday to determine where there were gaps in security and what else the American people need to know," Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican and Trump ally, told NBC. Robert E. McDonald, a professor at the University of New Haven who worked for the Secret Service for 20 years, also commented to 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 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"
In the aftermath of the planned attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service faces numerous questions. Trump himself has thus 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: Biden Does Not Want a "Battlefield"
US President Biden spoke out on the attack on his political opponent Donald Trump in a speech and on social media. The 81-year-old wrote on X: "Differences of opinion are inevitable 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 threw everything into disarray"
The Sydney Morning Herald writes about the attack on Donald Trump for the Australians: "US-President Joe Biden is faced with a delicate balancing act, as America is still reeling from the attack on its largest 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 tumultuous Republicans in the November election. The strategy was simple: showcase 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. However, the attack on the former president on Saturday has thrown everything into disarray. 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 up: Trump has arrived in Milwaukee
After the primary elections in each state, both Democrats and Republicans must officially confirm their overall results on a national level. This is done at their respective nomination conventions. The Democrats will gather for this purpose in mid-August in Chicago, Illinois. The Republican nomination convention, on the other hand, takes place this time from July 15 to 18 in Milwaukee, 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 stock market reacts to the Trump assassination attempt
The Asian stock markets react with unease to the assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Investors are concerned about potential implications for future US economic policy. At the bond markets, interest rates for government bonds rose, 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. "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 must constantly think about the small head movement that saved his life just before the attack
Donald Trump must constantly think back to the moment that likely saved his life: a small head movement that prevented a bullet from fatally hitting his head. Instead, the bullet grazed his ear."The most incredible thing was that I not only turned but exactly at the right time and to the right extent," Trump said in a speech aboard his 757 as he flew to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. "If I had only turned half, it would have hit the back of my head. The other way goes straight through the skull. The chance of me making a perfect turn is probably less than one in ten percent, so I shouldn't be here."
05:22 Trump: Reality is just setting in
After the attempted attack at a campaign event, Donald Trump calls for peace and unity. "This is a chance to bring the whole country, indeed the whole world together," Trump told the "Washington Examiner" newspaper. The incident deeply affected him. He now realizes what happened ("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 had done that in this moment, we wouldn't be talking about this today, or?"
04:46 NYT: Explosives found in Trump-Attacker's house
More information is coming to light about the Trump attacker. Besides 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," says a statement from the club's lawyer, Robert Bootay. "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 planning for a Trump 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 but self-evidently confidentially behind the scenes, we also need a consensus of the democratic parties, factions, and political foundations," Link told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "I am 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 possible scenario Trump 2.0 for a long time." Previously, the deputy chair of the CDU faction Jens Spahn and the green chairman of the Bundestag European Affairs Committee, Anton Hofreiter, had called on Germany to better prepare for a possible Trump re-election.
02:25 Biden calls for de-escalation in the campaign
US President Joe Biden appeals for de-escalation in the US campaign after the attack on his predecessor and opponent Donald Trump. "We settle our differences at the ballot box. That's how it works - at the ballot box, not with bullets," Biden said in a rare address to the nation from the Oval Office in the White House. "We need to lower the heated rhetoric in politics." He reminded Americans that they are "neighbors and friends, not enemies." Biden is relieved that Trump was not seriously injured in the attack. Biden acknowledges that the campaign is marked by highly heated political rhetoric but emphasizes the high stakes in the upcoming presidential elections.
01:46 Biden resumes campaign planning
After a brief campaign pause following the attack on his predecessor and political rival Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden plans to make public appearances in the coming days. According to the White House, Biden will visit the NAACP convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to attend a local campaign event in the desert metropolis of Nevada. Biden had canceled a trip to Texas on 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 him as a young man with side-parted dark blond hair, glasses, and a few freckles on his face. Crooks' former classmates describe him as a "quiet" student who often seemed "lonely," as reported by ABC News. One classmate claims Crooks was "socially withdrawn." He cannot remember hearing Crooks talk about politics in general or Trump specifically. Jason Kohler, who claims to have attended the same high school as the alleged shooter, tells reporters that Crooks was often 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 Congressman Bennie Thompson fired an employee who posted on social media that she wished the Trump attacker had shot more accurately. According to "The New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but please take shooting lessons so you don't miss 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, he is grateful that Trump is okay. He adds, "There is no place for political violence in America's democracy."
23:50 No heightened security measures for Republican party convention
The Secret Service agent in charge of security for the Republican party convention, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, reports that security measures for the large event have not been intensified. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not see the possibility of banning weapons in the outer area of the event venue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as an additional precaution. Carrying weapons is protected by state law, he says. At the Mega-Event, Trump is scheduled to be officially nominated as the Republican Party's presidential candidate in the coming week. Trump is making efforts not to give the impression of weakness: He announced that he would travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon (local time) to break ground for the party convention. The convention is taking place there.
23:21 Biden: Motive of Attackers still unclear
After the attempted attack on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump, the motive of the shooter is still unclear. "We have no information on the motive of the shooter," says US President Joe Biden at the White House to journalists. Biden urges the public not to make assumptions and to let the law enforcement agencies do their job.
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 the Republican at a campaign rally could increase Trump's chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect the financial markets to focus on this, they say. "The election will likely be a landslide. 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 uptrend and investors to focus on a steeper yield curve for US Treasury bonds.
22:07 Injured victims in stable condition
The two people who were severely injured in the attempted attack on Donald Trump are in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania police. At a campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The alleged shooter was shot by security guards. Trump was lightly injured, and two attendees were severely injured.
21:57 FBI: Suspect acted alone, no ideology identified yet
The FBI issues a warning: The alleged shooter acted alone, and there are no further safety concerns, says a representative of the US Federal Police. The incident is being classified as a domestic terrorist attack and an attempted assassination. The FBI is investigating the social media accounts of the 20-year-old, who was killed. However, there have been no 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 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
Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reportedly called Donald Trump following the attack. He condemned the violence and expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, according to reports. Trump and the others injured were wished a quick recovery by the British news agency PA.
21:16 They will wait for this: Söder gives Democrats an "external recommendation"
"Violence is of course not a means of dispute resolution," says CSU leader 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 plans to travel to Wisconsin 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, according to his post on the online platform Truth Social. He will leave for Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon local time and will not change his schedule.
20:39 Biden announces plans
US-President Joe Biden cancels a planned trip to Texas at short notice. The White House announces this. Biden had originally been scheduled to leave for the southern state on Monday. After the shootings at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening local time, Biden had already cut short a weekend stay in Delaware and returned early to the White House.
20:11 Biden announces heightened security measures for the Republican convention
US-President Joe Biden announces an address 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 make an official statement to the American people in the evening (Monday in US time) from the Oval Office. For the Republican convention, which begins on Monday, security measures will 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 briefed on the investigation status by law enforcement and security agencies in the morning.
20:07 Live on ntv: Biden speaks on Trump assassination attempt
US-President Joe Biden speaks about the attempted assassination of his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already spoken out on Saturday a few hours after the incident and stated, "There is no place for this kind of violence in America". He then spoke on the phone with Trump. Biden was briefed on the investigation status 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 his family and died "as a hero"
The man killed at a campaign rally for former US President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania was a firefighter and family man. This was announced by Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro and he said he had spoken to the man's 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 Many Republicans blame Biden and the Democrats
The majority of Republicans in Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours after the shooting at a campaign event in Butler. According to the "Washington Post", about 30 of them directly blame US President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for the alleged instigation of the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the violence and his statement that "every form of political violence must be condemned".
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 because "multiple conspiracy theories are already confusing the already uncertain American electorate." The Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, Michael Link, 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 "inexplicable" that there were no follow-up investigations into the shootings and praises the Democrats for "the right reaction."
17:37 "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America" - Trump's children express themselves
The children of former President Donald Trump pay tribute to their father and thank the agents who protected him. "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America," writes Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter about a photo of his father with a bloodied face raising his fist. Eric Trump shares the same photo on Instagram with a similar message in capital letters. In an Instagram story, Tiffany Trump thanks God that her father is still alive. "Political violence is never the answer," she writes, thanking the law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service, and honoring the victims. "As you have seen today, my father is a fighter, and he will continue to fight for you and the USA." Ivanka Trump, who previously announced that she would not participate in her father's presidential campaign this year, also thanks the bodyguards and writes: "I continue to pray for our country," and: "I love you, Dad, today and always."
17:15 Shooter also had explosives in his car
The Trump assassin had explosives in his car, according to information from the "Wall Street Journal." The car was secured near the crime scene, reports the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used for the assassination was bought by the father of the alleged perpetrator, reports the newspaper and ABC News further. It is said to be an AR-15 rifle. The rifle was developed in the 1950s, initially for the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version. Technically speaking, it is not possible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in a very short time.
16:59 Melania Trump also speaks out
Following the attempted assassination on ex-US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump also speaks out. The guard who was killed in the attack was a "Monster" who tried to extinguish "Donald's passion, his laughter, his inventiveness, his love for music and his enthusiasm," explains the former First Lady of the USA 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 thanks the security guards of her husband.
16:26 "You're not behind me, you're behind them" - 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 attack generates sympathy for Trump," says Bannon. "It confirms also the perception 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 incident, Trump's campaign launched a fundraising appeal via text message. "You're not behind me, you're behind them," reads the message to voters.
16:08 Concerns before the convention: Republicans working with 40 security agencies
The chairman of the Republicans, Michael Whatley, assures that the agencies are working intensively to ensure security at the upcoming convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different security agencies, as Whatley tells Fox News.
15:44 Top Trump advisors: "If something seems strange, please report it immediately"
Top advisors of Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are increasing 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" Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election. If something seems strange, please report it immediately to the leadership or a security team on site," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump shooting
During Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania, shots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculation about fireworks, the sound of gunshots, guards 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, the Republican Mike Johnson, is working to calm things down. "We need to tone down the rhetoric," he says on MSNBC. "We need to lower the temperature in this country."
14:30 Expert: Trump shooting an opportunity for BidenA leading expert sees the Trump shooting as an opportunity for Biden.
14:03 Trump calls for reconciliation "It is more important than ever that we come together," writes Donald Trump on his platform "Truth Social." He is 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 keeping the memory of the slain civilian "in our hearts." Trump had already called for unity in his inaugural speech as US President in January 2017.
12:58 NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg shocked by assassination attempt NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is shocked over the assassination attempt on Trump. "I am shocked by the attempted assassination of former President Trump," Stoltenberg writes on X. He wishes him a speedy recovery and is with the victims in thought. Political violence has no place in democracies. The NATO allies stand together to defend freedom and values.
12:13 Video shows seconds between shots of the assassin and shots of the Secret Service The American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which it appears that both the shots of the assassin and the shots that likely 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 allegation The Secret Service has denied the allegation that they had refused additional security resources for Trump in the last months. "The claim that a member of the former President's security team requested additional security resources that were denied by the Secret Service or the Home Security Department is absolutely false," said Secret-Service-Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. In fact, the Secret Service had recently increased security measures.
Few hours after the attack on Trump, Republican congressman Michael Waltz said he had "reliable sources" who said that there had been repeated requests for stronger intelligence service protection for President Trump. Waltz provided no evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump a speedy recovery Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns the assassination attempt and expresses his condolences to the family of the victim: "I condemn the assassination attempt on the 45th US President, Donald J. Trump," Steinmeier writes in a statement. "Violence has no place in our democracy - not in America, not with us. We can all contribute: Let us reject 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 wish a speedy recovery. My deep condolences go to the family of the victim of the attack."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly, instinctively" Seconds after the shots fall, Trump rises up, covered in blood, and raises his fist at Secret Service agents. Political scientist Thomas Jäger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. What is crucial now is whether Trump can continue to spin his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter seemed to have noticed the assassin just before the first shots were firedA video posted on X shows a sharpshooter at the Trump rally at the exact moment the shots were fired. Sharpshooters are used at such events by the Secret Service to secure the area - which in this case apparently did not go as planned. The sharpshooter seems to be observing something or someone through his telescopic sight. He recoils, just before the shots are heard, suggesting that he became aware of the shooter as a threat in that moment. Shortly thereafter, the assassiner was shot.
09:23 Participant warned of the assassin before the attackParticipants at Trump's rally in Butler had noticed a man with a rifle on a roof near the venue before the shootings. 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: "Ha ha, what?", suggesting that the security forces did not know what was going on. "I thought: Why is Trump still speaking, why didn't they take him off the stage? ... The next thing I heard were five gunshots."
09:15 Scholz condemns the attackGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the attempted attack on Trump on X: "The attack on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a quick recovery. My thoughts are also with the people who were affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy."
08:28 Photographer takes picture of possible projectileDoug Mills, a photographer for the "New York Times", apparently took a picture by chance at the exact moment a bullet narrowly missed Trump. The picture "could very well show the air displacement caused by a projectile", says Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent who spoke to the newspaper. 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 picture was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds.
08:00 Alleged shooter registered as a RepublicanThe FBI has identified the alleged shooter as a man named Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old, 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" notes that Crooks was 17 years old at the time of the donation. He registered as a Republican member in September 2021, when he turned 18.
07:46 Expert: "Secret Service must answer some questions"Donald Trump, as a former President and candidate, is under the protection of the Secret Service. At all campaign events, there are the highest security precautions, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It now needs to be clarified how it was possible that a shooter was able to attack, despite these precautions.
07:38 World leaders shocked by attack on TrumpState and government heads worldwide react with shock to the attack on former President Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen writes on X, expressing deep shock, wishing Trump a quick recovery, and expressing her condolences to the innocent victim's family. "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 attendees, and all Americans."
The United Nations condemns the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of political violence in the strongest terms," explains the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres. "He wishes President Trump a swift recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also 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." Zelenskyy also wishes Trump a swift recovery.
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden stated that he was grateful that Trump was safe and doing well. In the US, "there is no place for this kind of violence."
07:21 Open questions to the Secret ServiceFBI Agent Kevin Rojek speaks at a press conference, finding it "surprising" that the protective detail could return fire. In response to a question about security measures, he states that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Although the name suggests otherwise, the Secret Service is not a secret service but (among other things) responsible for the security of US presidents and former US presidents.
"They conduct the initial security assessments and determine where the various security sites should be located," Rojek says. "And they are the ones responsible for securing the crime scene." A representative of the Secret Service is not present at the press conference. "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 officially be nominated as the Republican presidential candidate. US President Biden shared that the Democrats would stop all campaign ads as soon as possible.
06:50 Shooter fired from a roof near the rallyAnthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesperson, states that the suspect fired "multiple shots towards the stage" and was located "on an elevated position outside the event perimeter." This suggests that a roof near the rally could be meant.
06:39 Shooter is reportedly a 20-year-old from PennsylvaniaThe person who shot Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, 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 doing so. The shooter is dead. According to the Pennsylvania police, it is too early to determine if it was a lone gunman. There is also no indication of "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump discharged from hospital late SaturdayAccording to a report by Bloomberg News, former President Trump was discharged from the hospital late on a Saturday evening (local time).
06:01 FBI confirms attempted murder against Ex-President Trump at rallyFollowing shootings at a campaign event in the US state of Pennsylvania, the FBI has classified the incident as an "attempted murder" against former President Donald Trump. "This is an attempted murder against our former president Donald Trump," FBI agent Kevin Rojek said in Butler, the location of the rally. Trump was injured at the ear, according to law enforcement reports, and one bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured.
04:41 Biden phones Trump after attackUS President Joe Biden personally phoned the Republican. The White House confirmed the call without disclosing the contents. On Sunday, Biden will be briefed on the status of the investigations by law enforcement officials, according to further information.
03:58 Republicans plan to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold their 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 clear in a joint statement. The Republicans are due to gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Monday for their nominating convention to officially nominate the 78-year-old as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Shooter fired from elevated positionDuring the attack on the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the alleged shooter opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event venue. One bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured, according to the Secret Service. Initially, there had been reports of a seriously injured person.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in the earFormer US President Donald Trump, in his own words, was injured in the ear during the attack at a campaign appearance 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 escorts ex-President off stageFormer US President Donald Trump was escorted off the stage by security personnel during a campaign appearance in Pennsylvania after shots were fired. In the images, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
1. Despite the recent attack, Donald Trump remains a strong contender for the United States Presidency Election 2024, with many analysts suggesting his chances have increased.
2. Amidst political turmoil, Joe Biden emphasized the importance of de-escalating rhetoric and settling differences at the ballot box, rather than with bullets, during his address to the nation following the attempted assassination on Donald Trump.
