20:07 Live on ntv: Biden comments on Trump assassination attempt
US-President Joe Biden expresses himself on the attempted assassination of his election rival Donald Trump. Biden had already expressed himself a few hours after the incident on Saturday and stated, "There is 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 throws himself in front of family and dies "as a hero"
The man killed during a campaign event by former US President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and a family man. Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro made this known and said he had spoken with his wife and daughters. The man died "as a hero" and threw himself over his family to shield them when the shots fell during the Trump rally. He was a "passionate supporter" of Trump. Besides the one man in the crowd who died, two other spectators were injured. Shapiro said their condition was critical.
19:13 Many Republicans see Biden and the Democrats to blame
The overwhelming majority of Republicans in Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours following the attack on a campaign event in Butler. According to the "Washington Post," approximately 30 of them directly blame US President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for the alleged instigation of the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the act and his statement that "political violence must be denounced by everyone."
18:44 Former German US Ambassador: Copiers 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. "Copiers 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, 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 "incomprehensible" 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 raising his fist with a bloodied face. 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, also thanks the bodyguards and writes: "I continue to pray for our country", and: "I love you, Dad, today and always."
17:15 The assassin also had explosives in his car
According to the "Wall Street Journal", the Trump assassin also had explosives in his car. The car was secured near the crime scene, reports the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used in the attack was bought by the father of the suspected 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, continuous firing is not possible with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in a very short time.
16:59 Now Melania Trump speaks out
Following the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, his wife Melania also speaks out. The assassinated guard was a "Monster" who tried to "extinguish Donald's passion, his laughter, his creativity, his love of music, and his enthusiasm", explains the former First Lady of the United States 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 also thanks the personal protectors of her husband.
16:26 "They are not behind me, they are behind you" - Trump campaign starts fundraising appeal
According to Brad Bannon, a democratic strategist, the incident could be used by Trump. It fits the narrative of the former US President that the country is on the wrong track. "The attempted assassination generates sympathy for Trump", Bannon says. "It confirms the belief of his voters that something fundamental is wrong in this country." Trump's appearances at the four-day Republican nomination convention in Milwaukee, which begins on Monday, could be fueled by the attack. "If the country wasn't a powder keg before, it is now", says Chip Felkel, a republican political analyst who is not a Trump supporter. Hours after the attack, Trump's campaign starts a fundraising appeal via text message. "They are not behind me, they are behind you", reads the message to voters.
16:08 Concern before the Party: Republicans working with 40 law enforcement agenciesRepublican Party chairman Michael Whatley assures that the agencies are working intensively to ensure security at the upcoming Republican Party convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different law enforcement agencies, according to Whatley on Fox News, but he did not specify the precautions that have been taken.
15:44 Top Trump Campaign Advisors: "Please report anything suspicious immediately"Top advisors for 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 to ensure the safety of all staff," the "Washington Post" quotes 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, shots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculation 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 things down. "We need to tone down the rhetoric," he says on MSNBC. "We need to lower the temperature in this country."
14:30 Expert: Trump assassination attempt is an opportunity for Biden
14:03 Trump calls for unity"It's more important than ever that we come together," Trump writes on his Truth Social platform. He is already looking forward to speaking in Wisconsin "to our great country" this week. The Republican Party convention is taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, "I am praying for the wounded, and we hold the memory of the fallen civilian in our hearts." Trump 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 shocked by the attempted assassination of former President Trump," Stoltenberg 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 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, according to TMZ.
11:40 Secret Service refutes Republican claim The Secret Service has refuted the claim that they had denied additional security resources to Trump in the last few months. "The allegation that a member of President Trump'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 "very reliable sources" that there had been repeated requests for a stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Waltz did not provide any evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump swift recovery Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the family of the victim's family: "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 with us. 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 I wish a swift recovery. My deepest condolences go to the family of the victim of the attack."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly, instinctively" Seconds after the shots were fired, Donald Trump was seen raising his fist towards Secret Service agents, covered in blood. Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. What's crucial now is whether Trump will be able to continue spinning his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter seemed to have noticed the assassin just before the first shots A 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 attack Participants at the Trump rally in Butler had noticed a man with a rifle on a roof near the venue before the shooting. One of them, Greg Smith, told security personnel: "Hey man, there's a guy with a rifle on the roof", he later told the BBC. The response was: "Ha ha, what?", as if the security forces 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 attempted attack on Trump as abhorrentGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condemnation of an attack attempt against former US President Donald Trump on X: "The attempt on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump is abhorrent. I wish him a quick recovery. My thoughts are also with the people affected by this act of violence. Such acts threaten democracy."
08:28 Photographer captures image of possible projectileNew York Times photographer Doug Mills reportedly took a picture at the exact moment a bullet narrowly missed Trump. Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent, told the newspaper that the photo "could very well show the air displacement from a projectile." Generally, it's possible to photograph a flying bullet, Harrigan added. Mills used a Sony digital camera at the Trump rally, which can take up to 30 images per second. The photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds.
08:00 Alleged shooter registered as a RepublicanThe FBI identified the alleged shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He was a 20-year-old man 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 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 needs to answer some questions"Donald Trump, as a former President and candidate, is under the protection of the Secret Service. There are strict security measures in place at all campaign events, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It remains to be determined how the shooter was able to approach Trump despite these precautions.
07:38 World leaders react with shockWorld leaders reacted with shock to the attack on former President Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, "I am deeply shocked, wishing Trump a quick recovery and expressing my condolences to the innocent victim's family. Political violence has no place in a democracy." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed his thoughts: "My thoughts are with former President Trump, the event attendees, and all Americans."
The United Nations also condemned the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of political violence," the UN spokesperson announced. "He wishes President Trump a speedy recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared his disgust, stating, "I am appalled by the news of the attack. Such violence has no justification and no place in the world. Never should violence prevail." Zelensky also wished Trump a quick recovery.
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden stated that he was grateful Trump was safe and in good health. In the US, "there is no place for this kind of violence."
07:21 Open Questions to the Secret ServiceFBI agent Kevin Rojek stated at a press conference that it was "surprising" that the protectee was able to fire multiple shots. In response to questions about security measures, he stated that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Although the name suggests otherwise, 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 said. "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 said.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, Apparently UnharmedA Trump spokesperson posted a video that shows Trump leaving an airport in New Jersey without assistance. His injured ear is not visible in the video. The Republicans have announced that the nominating convention will take place as planned; the convention will take place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee. There, Trump will officially be nominated as the Republican presidential candidate. US President Biden stated 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, stated 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 at Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the investigation of the "Washington Post." The FBI officially stated that they had not yet identified the shooter, but were "close" to doing so. The shooter is deceased. According to the Pennsylvania police, it is too early to say whether it was a lone gunman. There is also no indication that there is "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump Released from HospitalTrump was discharged from the hospital late Saturday evening (local time) according to a report by the news agency Bloomberg.
06:01 FBI Confirms Attempted Assassination of Ex-President Trump at RallyThe US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has classified the incident at a campaign rally in the US state of Pennsylvania as an "attempted assassination" against former President Donald Trump. "This is an attempt to assassinate our former President Donald Trump," FBI agent Kevin Rojek said at the scene of the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania. According to official reports, Trump was injured in the ear by the gunfire, and in addition to the alleged shooter, a bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured.
03:58 Republicans plan to hold party convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold their nomination party in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as scheduled this week, according to a joint statement from the party and Trump's campaign team. The Republicans will 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": One dead, two injuredDuring the attack on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the alleged shooter opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event venue. According to the Secret Service, one person was killed and two others were seriously injured. Initially, it was reported that one person was severely injured.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in my earFormer US President Donald Trump has stated that he was injured by a bullet in his ear during the attack at a campaign event. "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 the stage by Secret Service agents during a campaign event in Pennsylvania after shots were fired. Photos show Trump with a bloody ear and raised fist.
1. Given the current situation, some Republicans are criticizing President Joe Biden for alleged instigation of political violence, despite his clear condemnation of the attack.
2. Despite being a registered Republican, the alleged shooter who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump had previously donated to a Democratic donation organization shortly after Biden's inauguration.
