5:56 Trump has to think of a small head movement just before the attack again
05:22 Trump: I'm realizing it now
After the attempted attack at a campaign event, Donald Trump calls for peace and unity. "This is a chance for the whole country, indeed the whole world, to come together," Trump told the "Washington Examiner" during a speech on board his 757 as he flew to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. The incident deeply disturbed Trump. He now realizes ("Reality is just setting in"). Trump survived the attack because he turned away from the crowd in the decisive 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?"
04:22:00 "Washington Examiner": Bullet may have missed Trump due to head turn
New information is emerging about the Trump attacker. Besides the rudimentary explosives found in Thomas Matthew Crooks' car, the 20-year-old may have had possible 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," reads a statement from the club's attorney, Robert Bootay. "Beyond that, the Club, in the context 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 preparing for a Trump re-election
The German government is preparing for a possible second presidency of Donald Trump, according to the words of its Transatlantic Coordinator Michael Link. "Beyond 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 potential Trump 2.0 scenario," says the FDP politician. Previously, Jens Spahn, the deputy chairman of the CDU, and Anton Hofreiter, the green chairman of the Bundestag European Affairs Committee, had warned that Germany should prepare itself better for a possible Trump re-election.
02:25 Biden calls for de-escalation in campaign
US President Joe Biden urged for de-escalation 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 at the White House. "We need to lower the heated temperature 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 heated political rhetoric but emphasized 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 opponent Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden plans to make public appearances in the coming days. According to the White House, Biden will visit a meeting of the NAACP civil rights organization 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 scheduled for Monday and cut short a weekend stay in Delaware to return to the White House.
01:04 Quiet and frequently bullied: What is known about the shooter Matthew Crooks
The FBI identified the Trump attacker as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. A driver's license photo of Crooks shows him as 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," according to ABC News. One classmate reportedly said Crooks had been socially withdrawn. He couldn't remember hearing Crooks discuss politics in general or Trump specifically. Jason Kohler, who reportedly attended the same high school as the alleged shooter, told reporters that Crooks had been bullied. "He was quiet, but he was just bullied. He was bullied so much." Crooks, who occasionally wore hunter's clothing, was reportedly mocked for his clothing style.
00:35 "Next time not miss": Democratic congresswoman fires employee for Facebook post
Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson in the US House of Representatives fired an employee who posted on social media that she wished the Trump attacker had shot more accurately. According to the "New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but please take marksmanship classes so you don't miss next time. Oops, that wasn't me who spoke." Thompson, who represents Mississippi's second district, writes X, expressed gratitude that Trump was okay. He added that there is no place for political violence in America's democracy.
23:50 No intensification of security measures at Republican Party convention
The security representative for the Republican Party convention, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino of the Secret Service, reports that the measures for the large event have not been intensified yet. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not plan to ban weapons in the exterior area of the event venue as an additional precaution. Carrying firearms is protected by state laws, Johnson states. 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 appearing weak after the attack: He announced that he will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US state for the party convention on Sunday afternoon (local time).
23:21 Unclear motive for Trump attacker
Following the attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, the motive of the shooter remains unclear. "We still have no information on the motive of the gunman," says US President Joe Biden at the White House to journalists. Biden urges 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 must adjust. The bullet that hit Trump at a campaign rally could increase his chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect the markets to be volatile, they say. "The election will probably be a landslide. That reduces uncertainty," says Nick Ferres, Chief Investment Manager at Vantage Point Asset Management. Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager of Eastspring Investments in Singapore, expects the dollar to continue its upward trend and investors to focus on a steeper yield curve for US Treasury bonds.
22:07 Injured visitors in stable condition
The two people who were seriously injured in the attempted attack on Donald Trump are reportedly in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania police. At the campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The suspected shooter was shot by security guards. Trump was lightly injured, and two visitors were seriously injured.
21:57 FBI: Shooter acted alone, no identifiable ideology or mental illness yet
The FBI issues a warning: The suspected shooter acted alone, and there is no further danger to security, an FBI representative states. 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 suspect who was killed. However, there have been no identifiable ideology or signs of mental illness discovered so far. The weapon was legally purchased, likely by the suspect's father. Bomb experts have 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, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has contacted former US President Trump, who was injured in an attack. Starmer condemned the violence and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, reports the British news agency PA. Trump and the other injured individuals were wished a quick recovery.
21:16 They will be waiting for this: Soder gives US Democrats "recommendation from outside"
"Violence is certainly not a means of resolution", says CSU-Chief Markus Soder and wishes Donald Trump a speedy recovery after the attack. He assesses the consequences for the presidential campaign and gives the Democrats a tip.
20:47 Trump to travel to Republican Party convention in Wisconsin soon
Only a day after the attack on him, former US President Donald Trump plans to travel to the Republican Party convention in the state of Wisconsin. The Republican presidential candidate wrote on the online platform Truth Social that he would leave for Milwaukee Sunday evening local time and 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 earlier than planned.
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 said at the White House and announced that he would 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, he also announced. An independent investigation into the background of the attack is also to be carried out. Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris were informed about the current investigation status by law enforcement and security agencies in the morning.
20:07 Live on ntv: Biden speaks about the attack on Trump
US President Joe Biden speaks about the attempted assassination of his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already spoken out a few hours after the attack on Saturday and declared, "There is no place in America for this kind of violence". He then called Trump. Biden was briefed on the status of the investigations by the heads of the FBI and the Secret Service, the security agency for presidents and former presidents, in the morning.
19:43 Firefighter threw himself in front of family and died "as a hero"
The man killed at a campaign rally of ex-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 fell 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 still critical.
19:13 Some Republicans hold Biden and Democrats accountable
Many Republican members of Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours following the shooting at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. According to the "Washington Post", approximately 30 of them directly blame President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for the alleged instigation of the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the act and his statement that "everyone must condemn political violence."
18:44 Previous 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. He tells the "Tagesspiegel" that "imitators - against Trump -, or avengers - against Joe Biden - are more likely." This is all the more true because "multiple conspiracy theories are confusing the already uncertain American electorate." The Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, Michael Link, also fears further political polarization in the US. "This 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 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
The children of former President Donald Trump pay tribute to their father and thank the agents who protected him. "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America," writes Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter along with a photo of his father with a bloodied face raising his fist. Eric Trump shares the same photo on Instagram with a similar message in capital letters. In an Instagram story, Tiffany Trump thanks God that her father is still alive. "Political violence is never the answer," she writes, thanking the law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service, and honoring the victims. "As you saw today, my father is a fighter, and he will continue to fight for you and the USA." Ivanka Trump, who 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. Technically speaking, it is not possible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire a large number of shots in a very short time.
16:59 Melania Trump speaks out
Following the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, his wife Melania has also spoken out. The slain security guard was a "Monster" who had tried to "extinguish Donald's passion, his laughter, his inventiveness, his love of music, and his enthusiasm," Melania Trump, the former First Lady of the United States, said 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 security team.
16:26 "They're not behind me, they're behind you" - Trump campaign launches fundraising appeal
According to Brad Bannon, a democratic strategist, the incident could be used by Trump. It fits the narrative of the former US President that the country is on the wrong track. "The attempted assassination generates sympathy for Trump," Bannon 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 National 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. "They're not behind me, they'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 preparations were being made intensively to ensure security at the upcoming convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different security agencies, Whatley told Fox News, without specifying the details of the precautions.
15:44 Top advisors to Trump campaign: "If something seems strange to you, please report it immediately"
Top advisors to Donald Trump's campaign team advise 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," the "Washington Post" quotes 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 to you, please report it immediately to the leadership or the security team on site," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump attackDuring Trump's campaign speech 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 "Truth Social" platform. 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 nomination 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 speech as US President in January 2017.
12:58 NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg shocked by assassination attemptNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is shocked by the assassination attempt on Trump. "I am shocked by the attempted assassination of former President Trump", he writes on X. He wishes him a speedy recovery and is thinking of the victims. Political violence has no place in democracies. The NATO allies are standing together to defend freedom and values.
12:13 Video shows seconds between shooter's shots and Secret Service shotsThe American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which it seems that both the shooter's shots 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 accusationThe Secret Service has denied the 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 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 Representative Michael Waltz had said that he had "reliable sources" who told him that there had been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for Trump. Waltz provided no evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump swift recoveryBundespresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns the attack and expresses his condolences to the victim's family: "I condemn the assassination attempt on the 45th US President, Donald J. Trump", Steinmeier writes in a statement. "Violence has no place in our democracy - not in America, not here. We all can 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 directly, instinctively"Seconds after the shots rang out, Donald Trump emerges covered in blood and with clenched fist towards Secret Service agents. Political scientist Thomas Jäger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. It remains to be seen if Trump can continue spinning his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter 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 near the venue 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 later told the BBC. The response was: "Ha, what?", as if the security personnel did not know what was going on. "I thought: Why is Trump still speaking, why didn't they get him off the stage? ... The next thing I heard were five gunshots."
09:15 Scholz condemns attack as abhorrentBundeskanzler Olaf Scholz responds to 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 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 principle, it is possible to photograph a flying bullet, Harrigan added. Mills used a Sony digital camera at the Trump rally, which can take up to 30 photos 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. He is a man named Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old victim, who was killed during the shooting attempt, is from the small town of Bethel Park in the US state of Pennsylvania, an hour south of Butler, where the Trump rally took place. Crooks is a registered Republican. According to reports he donated $15 to a Democratic fundraising organization on the day of Biden's inauguration in January 2021.
The "New York Post" points out that Crooks was 17 years old at the time of the donation. He registered as a Republican Party member in September 2021 when he turned 18.
07:46 Expert: "Secret Service Needs to Answer Some Questions"Donald Trump, as an ex-President and candidate, is under the protection of the Secret Service. There are highest security precautions at all campaign events, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It remains to be worked out how such an attacker was able to attack.
07:38 World Leaders Express ShockWorld leaders reacted in shock 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 family of the innocent victim. "Political violence has no place in a democracy", she writes. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expresses similar sentiments. "My thoughts are with former President Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans."
The United Nations also condemns the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General condemns this act of political violence in the strongest terms", explains the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António 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.
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden stated that he was grateful that Trump was safe and doing well. In the USA, "there is no place for this kind of violence".
07:21 Open Questions to the Secret ServiceFBI agent Kevin Rojek speaks at a press conference and finds it "surprising" that the shooter was able to fire several shots. In response to a question about security measures, he says that such questions must be answered by the Secret Service. Although the name suggests otherwise, the Secret Service is not an intelligence agency, but (among other things) responsible for the security of US presidents and former US presidents.
"They conduct the initial security assessments and determine where the various security locations should be", Rojek says. "And they are responsible for securing the crime scene." A representative of the Secret Service is 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 officially be 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 multiple shots at the stage" and was on "an elevated position" outside the event venue. This likely means there was a roof near the rally.
06:39 Shooter is apparently a 20-year-old from PennsylvaniaThe person who shot Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the investigation of the "Washington Post". 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 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 shooting 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 the attackUS President Joe Biden personally called Trump after the attack, the White House announced without disclosing the contents of the conversation. On Sunday, Biden will be briefed by law enforcement agencies about the status of the investigation, it was further stated.
03:58 Republicans to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold the Nominating Convention in Milwaukee this week despite the attack on their Presidential candidate Donald Trump. The party and Trump's campaign team made this clear in a joint statement. The Republicans will gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, starting on Monday to officially nominate the 78-year-old as their Presidential candidate.
03:54 Authorities: Shooter fired from an elevated positionDuring the attack on Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, the suspect fired 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 at a campaign event. "I was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear", Trump writes on his self-founded platform Truth Social.
00:33 Shots fired at Trump: Security escorts ex-President off stageThe former US President Donald Trump was escorted off the stage at a campaign event in the state of Pennsylvania by security personnel. Before that, shots were heard. In the images, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
- Amidst the US Presidential Election 2024 discussions, German Transatlantic Coordinator Michael Link mentions the need for the German government to prepare for a potential re-election of former US President Donald Trump.
- Speculating about the 2024 US Presidential Election, US President Joe Biden's deputy Kamala Harris emphasizes the importance of unity and non-violence, echoing her predecessor's messages after the Trump attack.
