A democratic senator is expecting a signal from Trump (at 18:19)
Democratic Senator Chris Coons, Co-Chief of the Biden-Harris Campaign, hopes that former President Donald Trump will use the Republican National Convention to follow "President Biden's example" in unity of the American people. According to CNN, Coons highlighted Biden's earlier statements, including his inaugural address, where he called for unity of the American people. These statements come after Trump told the "Washington Examiner" on Sunday that he would rewrite his original speech as it could bring "the whole country, even the whole world, together."
17:49 Secret Service to Support Independent InvestigationSecret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced that the agency would fully cooperate with an independent review of security arrangements at the site of Donald Trump's campaign rally where the attack occurred. The "Washington Post" reported this. "We are aware of the significance of President Biden's announcement of an independent review and will participate fully. We will also work with the relevant Congressional committees in all oversight matters," Cheatle said. President Biden announced on Sunday that the results would be made public.
17:23 Personal Message from King Charles III to Donald TrumpBritish King Charles III sent a personal message to former US President Donald Trump following the attack. The exact content of the message was not disclosed. According to the British news agency PA, it was in line with a conversation between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump.
17:01 Former Classmates Describe Attacker Crooks as a Miserable MarksmanTrump attacker Thomas Matthew Crooks was reportedly a poor marksman according to former classmates. Speaking to ABC News, Jameson Myers, who attended school with Crooks from elementary to high school, said the 20-year-old tried to join the rifle team in his first year at Bethel Park High School but was rejected during tryouts. "He didn't even make it in," Myers said. "He was asked not to return because he was such a terrible marksman. His participation was considered a danger." After that, Crooks did not show up for further practice sessions. An anonymous member of the rifle team told ABC News that the Trump attacker "wasn't really suited for the team." He added, "He also shot terribly."
16:41 Local Sharpshooters Should Have Secured Attacker's Building, According to ReportsOne of the two local anti-sniper teams was supposed to secure the building used by the shooter. CNN reported this based on a source familiar with the investigation. The Pennsylvania State Police denied the allegations and stated they were not involved. The police in Butler County have not commented yet.
16:18 Shooter Bought 50 Rounds of Ammunition Shortly Before AttackThe Trump attacker Thomas Matthew Crooks bought new ammunition shortly before the attack. CNN reported this based on sources in law enforcement. According to the report, the shooter purchased only 50 rounds of ammunition at a local gun shop just a few hours before the incident.
15:53 Secret Service intensifies measures for Republican party convention
Following the assassination attempt on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump, security preparations for the upcoming Republican party convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have been intensified. The Director of the responsible Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, stated that her organization has revised and strengthened the plans for protecting the convention in the aftermath of the attack on Saturday. She is now confident that they are prepared for all scenarios.
15:27 Ex-Agent: Trump assassination attempt could devastate Secret Service
Criticism of Donald Trump's personal security detail is growing louder following the assassination attempt. Former Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy also sees it as a failure of the security forces. The incident is now being investigated - for the Secret Service, this is an existential threat, according to McCarthy.
15:04 Government spokesperson: Biden not to be written off in US election
The German government still sees a chance that Amtsinhaber Joe Biden will win the US election in November. Federal government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit: "Joe Biden's campaign skills should not be underestimated." "It's still too early to believe that the American presidential election is decided," Hebestreit added. Other politicians, such as Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder, have called on the Democrats to persuade Biden to withdraw, as he is now considered to have no chance against Trump. Hebestreit emphasizes that it is natural for democracies to have the possibility of a government change. "That's what makes them attractive for voters, for citizens," he says.
14:41 No direct contact between Scholz and Trump after assassination
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not sought direct contact with Republican US Presidential candidate Donald Trump since the assassination attempt. However, there have been "dialogues" with both Democrats and Republicans, according to Federal Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. Scholz met with representatives of both parties during his recent trip to the USA. The German government condemns the attack on Trump clearly. "That was a despicable crime," Hebestreit says.
14:18 Expert: Secret Service shows "monumental failure"
Following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Secret Service is facing heavy criticism. "The protectee was outside the Secret Service zone. What is that zone, then?" asks Richard Painter, a White House employee under former President George W. Bush and now a law professor at the University of Minnesota. He sees a "monumental failure" and calls for 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 responsibility to be on that roof," Painter says. "Have they ever heard of the Texas Book Depository?" That's the building in Dallas, Texas, from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy in 1963 with a rifle.
13:58 Trump Appearance in Milwaukee: Thousands of Additional Police on DutyAt the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee, security measures will be particularly strict. According to the local newspaper "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel," up to 4500 additional police officers from the surrounding area will be assigned to secure the RNC in addition to the city's police forces. The area around the Fiserv Forum will also be declared a no-fly zone for drones during the duration of the convention. Outside the area, where the Secret Service is responsible for personal protection, carrying weapons is permitted during the convention in the vicinity of the RNC, in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin. The Secret Service has assured, "we are fully prepared." The coordinator for the RNC-related Secret Service, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, stated, "I trust that the event will be protected on the highest security level."
13:35 Chinese Firm's Stock Surges after Trump Attack due to Name SimilarityAfter the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, a Chinese technology firm's stock soared - all because of 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 related to current events is common. This often leads to price fluctuations 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 Vengeance" for Trump and RepublicansThe interpretation of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump is in full swing. Political scientist Andrew B. Denison predicts that the former president and the Republicans will assume the role of martyrs and continue to fuel political hatred:
12:37 Trump Photos T-Shirts Become Top SellerSales of T-shirts with images of the bloodied former President Donald Trump skyrocketed online in the wake of the assassination attempt. On T-shirts priced 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, quickly designed T-shirts when she heard about the assassination attempt. "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 event 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 adversaries became enemies:
11:19 "The example that political leaders will give in the coming days is crucial"
According to the "Los Angeles Times," political leaders' actions in the coming days will be decisive for how the rest of the election campaign season unfolds. (...) Trump and the top Republicans, who are gathering in Milwaukee this week for the Republican Party convention where the 78-year-old is expected to be officially nominated as the presidential candidate, carry a special responsibility to prevent the attempted assassination from being used to inflame their base. They must recognize that the US is a powder keg right now, and heated rhetoric could spark sparks. For the moment, they must recognize that violence, once unleashed, is 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 is getting deeper"
Could the attempted assassination on Donald Trump lead to an inner-political reconciliation for American society? Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees no signs of it. On the contrary, the rift in the country could worsen.
10:13 First analyses: Chances of a victory in the election for Trump increase
The attempted assassination on former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally over the weekend has increased his chances of winning the November election, according to Ipek Ozkardeskaya, an analyst at Swissquote Bank. The chances for a Trump victory, which the analyst positively assesses from the market perspective, rose to 67 percent according to PredictIt data after the assassination attempt, compared to 61 percent before. "Although the assassination attempt 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 election in November," the analyst explains.
09:54 The assassination attempt as a campaign boost? Boese: Berlin is preparing for Trump 2.0
The German government has been preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump could return to the White House for some time. As reported by ntv correspondent Heike Boese:
09:25 "Heated moments could now become very, very dangerous"
German SPD party chair Saskia Esken, in an RTL/ntv morning show interview, responded to the question of whether the assassination attempt would boost Trump's chances of winning: "It's to be expected, yes, that he and especially his supporters will use this incident to further heat up the situation. We have already experienced similar situations in the past, which have ended up, for example, at the Capitol. Such heated moments could now become very, very dangerous, not only in terms of a election win." When asked how Germany and the German government should react if Trump wins the presidential election, Esken replied: "It's only natural that the German government, as well as governments in Europe, are aware that we need to draw closer together."
08:48 "Have we overlooked something?" - Secret Service under scrutiny after Trump shooting
Following the shooting of Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under scrutiny for not providing sufficient protection. "The Congress will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the previous tragedy to determine where there were gaps in security and what else the American people need to know," says Mike Johnson, a Republican and Trump supporter, speaking to NBC. Robert E. McDonald, a professor at the University of New Haven who worked for the Secret Service for 20 years, also tells the "New York Times": "Have we overlooked something? And if we have overlooked something, we must stand up and take responsibility for it." McDonald wonders why the Secret Service did not secure the building with snipers.
08:05 Secret Service under criticism: Shots fired at Trump: "Officer might have been the assassin"
Following the planned shooting of Donald Trump, the Secret Service faces numerous questions. Trump himself has thus far only commented on the incident on Truth Social, and the Republican Party convention is approaching. ntv-correspondent Christopher Wittich summarizes the latest developments.
07:34 After shooting: Biden doesn't want a "battlefield"
US President Biden speaks out on the shooting of his political opponent Donald Trump in a speech and on social media. The 81-year-old writes on X: "Political differences are inevitable in the American democracy. They are part of human nature. But politics should never be a literal battlefield, God forbid, a deadly battlefield."
06:57 The attack has turned everything upside down
The Australian newspaper "Sydney Morning Herald" writes about the shooting of Donald Trump: "US President Joe Biden faces a delicate balancing act as America continues to reel from the shooting of his biggest political rival. After weeks of discussions in the wake of 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 disruptive Republicans at the November election. The strategy was simple: present the strengths of his accomplishments in his first term, present a bold vision for the future, and go on the offensive against Trump by portraying him as the greatest threat to democracy in the US. But the shooting of the former president on Saturday has turned everything upside down. Facing the fear of escalating violence, Biden knows he cannot afford to further inflame the tensions of a country teeming with hostility, anger, and fear."
06:38 A grand show is coming: Trump arrives in Milwaukee
After the primary elections in each state, both the Democrats and Republicans must officially confirm their overall results on a national level. This is done at the respective nomination conventions. The Democrats will gather for this purpose in the middle of 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 assassination attempt affects the stock market
Asian stock markets are reacting with uncertainty to the attempted assassination of US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Investors are concerned about potential implications for future US economic policy. Bond yields for government bonds increased, which experts attribute to the expectation of a potentially inflationary and debt-intensive economic policy under a Trump presidency. Moreover, 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: I'm just realizing it now
After the assassination attempt at a campaign rally, Donald Trump calls for calm and unity. "This is an opportunity to bring the whole country, indeed the whole world, together," Trump told the "Washington Examiner." The incident deeply disturbed Trump. He now realizes the gravity of the situation ("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?"
05:22 NYT: Explosives found in Trump assassination suspect's house
More information is coming to light about the Trump assassination suspect. In addition to the rudimentary explosives found in Thomas Matthew Crooks' car, the 20-year-old allegedly had potential explosives in his house. The "New York Times" reports this based on sources familiar with the investigation.
04:46 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 attorney, Robert Bootay, stated in a declaration. "Beyond that, the Club cannot provide any further comment on this matter due to ongoing police investigations." The Clairton Sportsmen's Club operates a wooded facility in the southern hills of Pittsburgh with a 200-yard shooting range.
03:31 German government preparing for potential second presidency of Trump
The German government is preparing for a possible second presidency of Donald Trump, according to its Transatlantic Coordinator Michael Link. "Besides the intensive preparations of the German government, which are running very intensively but naturally discreetly behind the scenes, we also need a consensus among democratic parties, factions, and political foundations," Link told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "I am seeking this consensus regularly and have therefore been intensively networking 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, Jens Spahn, the deputy chairman of the CDU, and Anton Hofreiter, the green chairman of the Bundestag European Affairs Committee, had called on Germany to better prepare for a potential victory of Trump in the elections.
02:25 Biden calls for de-escalation in campaign
US President Joe Biden urged for de-escalation in the US campaign following the attack on his predecessor and political opponent 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." Biden expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured in the incident. He acknowledged that the campaign had been marked by highly heated political rhetoric but emphasized the high stakes in the upcoming presidential elections.
01:46 Biden resumes campaign planning
Following a brief campaign pause due to the attack on his predecessor and political rival 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 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 Delaware following the shooting.
01:04 Still and frequently bullied: What is known about the shooter Matthew Crooks
The FBI has 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 could not remember hearing Crooks discuss politics in general or Trump in particular. Jason Kohler, who attended the same high school as the alleged shooter, told reporters that Crooks was 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 shoot in the wrong place": US Democrat fires employee for Facebook post
Democratic US Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi fired an employee who posted on social media that she wished the Trump attacker had better aim. According to "New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but please take shooting lessons so you don't shoot the wrong person next time. Oops, that wasn't me who spoke." Thompson, who represents Mississippi's second district in the US House of Representatives, writes on X, expresses gratitude that Trump is okay. He adds that there is no place for political violence in America's democracy.
23:50 No intensification of security measures at Republican Party convention
The Secret Service representative in charge of security for the Republican Party convention shares that measures for the large event have not been intensified yet. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not see the possibility of banning weapons in the external area of the event venue in Wisconsin as an additional precaution. Carrying firearms is protected by state laws, he says. At the Mega-Event, Donald Trump is expected to be officially nominated as the Republican Party's presidential candidate this week. Trump is making efforts to avoid giving the impression of weakness: He announced that he would travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US federal state on Sunday afternoon (local time) to attend the party convention.
23:21 Biden: Motive of the shooter still unclear
The motive of the shooter in the attempted assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump remains unclear. "We still 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 work.
22:53 Financial markets expect "landslide victory for Trump"
After the attempted assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets need to re-evaluate. The bullet that hit Trump at a campaign rally could increase his chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect the markets to focus on a steeper yield curve for US Treasury bonds. "The election is likely to 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 recovery and investors to focus on a higher return on US government bonds.
22:07 Injured spectators in stable condition
The two people who were seriously injured in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump are in stable condition, according to the police in Pennsylvania. At the campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The alleged shooter was shot by security personnel. Trump was lightly injured, and two spectators were seriously injured.
21:57 FBI: The suspect acted alone, no ideology identifiable yet
The FBI issues a warning: The alleged shooter acted alone, there are no further threats to security, an FBI representative tells the press. The incident is being classified as a domestic terror attack and an attempted assassination. The FBI is investigating the social media accounts of the 20-year-old who was killed. However, there have been no identified indications of an ideology or a mental health 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 Starmer phones Trump
Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has phoned Trump according to government sources. He condemned the violence and expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, the British news agency PA reports. Starmer wished Trump and the other injured a quick recovery.
21:16 Soder gives Democrats an outside recommendation
"Violence is certainly not a means of dispute resolution," says CSU chief Markus Söder and wishes Trump a speedy recovery after the attack. He assesses the consequences for the presidential campaign and gives the Democrats a tip.
20:47 Trump to travel to Wisconsin Republican Party convention soon
Just 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. Trump announced on the online platform Truth Social that he would leave for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday afternoon local time and not change his schedule.
20:39 Biden cancels trip to Texas
US President Joe Biden cancels a planned trip to Texas. The White House announced this. Biden had originally planned to travel to the southern state on Monday. After the shootings at Trump on Saturday evening local time in the state of Pennsylvania, Biden had already cut short a weekend stay in Delaware and returned to the White House early.
20:11 Biden announces heightened security measures for Republican Party convention and calls for national unity
US President Joe Biden announces a speech to the nation and calls for unity as a nation. "We must come together as a nation," Biden says at the White House and announces that he will deliver an official address to the American people in the evening (in the German night to Monday) from the Oval Office. For the Republican Party convention, which begins on Monday, Biden also announces increased security measures. An independent investigation into the background of the attack is also to be carried out. In the morning, Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris were briefed by law enforcement and security agencies on the latest developments in the investigation.
20:07 Live on ntv: Biden speaks out on Trump assassination attempt
US President Joe Biden speaks out at this hour on the attempted assassination of his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already expressed himself a few hours after the incident on Saturday and declared, "There's no place for this kind of violence in America." He then called Trump. Biden was briefed in the morning by the heads of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service, the security service for presidents and former presidents, about the status of the investigations.
19:43 Firefighter threw himself in front of family and died "as a hero"
The man killed during a campaign rally of former US President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and a family man. This was announced by the democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, and he said he had spoken with his wife and daughters. The man died "as a hero" and threw himself over his family to protect them when the shots fell 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 still critical.
19:13 Many Republicans see blame with Biden and the Democrats
The majority of Republicans in Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours after the attack on a campaign event in Butler. According to the "Washington Post," approximately 30 of them directly blame President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for the alleged instigation of the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the act and his statement that "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 applies all the more because "multiple conspiracy theories are confusing the already uncertain American electorate." Michael Link, the Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, also fears further political polarization in the US. "That must not happen. It's important now to maintain calm and respect. That's what President Joe Biden did with his call to Trump," says the FDP politician.
18:06 Trump supporters see confirmed conspiracy theories
The shots on Donald Trump could be decisive for the upcoming US presidential election, says Frank Umbach. The security expert finds it "incomprehensible" that hints about the shooter were not followed up and praises the Democrats for "the right reaction."
17:37 "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America" - Trump's children express themselves
Donald Trump's children pay tribute to their father and thank the agents who protected him. "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America", writes Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter along with a photo of his father with a bloodied face raising his fist. Eric Trump shares the same photo on Instagram with a similar message in capital letters. In an Instagram story, Tiffany Trump thanks God that her father is still alive. "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 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 assassin also had explosives in his car
The Trump assassin had also had explosives in his car, according to the "Wall Street Journal". The car was reportedly secured near the crime scene, reports the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used in the attack was purchased by the father of the alleged assassin, reports the newspaper and ABC News further. It is said to be an AR-15 rifle. The AR-15 was developed in the 1950s, initially for the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version of this weapon. Technically speaking, 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
After the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump also speaks out. The man who was killed in the attack was a "monster" who had tried to "extinguish Donald's passion, his laughter, his inventiveness, his love of music, and his enthusiasm", explains the former First Lady of the USA on Twitter. When she saw that a bullet had grazed her husband, she realized that her life and that of her son Barron were "on the brink of a devastating change". Melania Trump thanks the Secret Service agents protecting her husband.
16:26 "You are not behind me, you are behind each other" - 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 also confirms the belief of his voters that something fundamental is wrong in this country." Trump's appearances at the four-day Republican nominating 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. "You are not behind me, you are behind each other", reads the message to voters.
16:08 Concerns before the Party: Republicans working with 40 law enforcement agenciesRepublican Party chairman Michael Whatley assures that the law enforcement agencies are working intensely to ensure security at the upcoming Republican Party convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different law enforcement agencies, according to Whatley on Fox News, but he did not specify what precautions have been taken.
15:44 Top Advisor to Trump Campaign: "Please report anything suspicious immediately"Top advisors to Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are enhancing 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," quoted the "Washington Post" Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election. Please report anything suspicious immediately to the leadership or the on-site security team," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump assassination attemptDuring Trump's campaign speech in Pennsylvania, gunshots were heard, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculation 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 working to calm things down. "We need to tone down the rhetoric," he said on MSNBC. "We need to lower the temperature in this country."
14:30 Expert: Trump assassination attempt is an opportunity for Biden
14:03 Trump calls for unity"It's more important than ever that we come together," writes Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. He is already looking forward to speaking in Wisconsin "to our great country" this week. The Republican Party convention is taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, "I pray for the wounded, and we hold the memory of the fallen citizen in our hearts." Trump 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 wrote on X. He wishes Trump 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 the shooter's shots and the Secret Service's shotsThe American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which it appears that both the shooter's gunshots and the Secret Service's shots can be heard. The attack triggered 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 assertion that a member of the former President's security detail requested additional security resources which 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.
Few hours after the attack, Republican representative Michael Waltz stated that he had "reliable sources" that there had been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Waltz did not provide any evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump 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 here. We can all contribute: Let us respect violence in political disputes! Let us reject hatred and incitement from election campaigns 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 family of the attack victim."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly, instinctively" Within seconds of the gunshots, Trump is seen raising his fist and shouting at Secret Service agents. Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. It remains to be seen if Trump will be able to continue spinning his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter 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 work 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 of the assassin 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, alerted the security personnel: "Hey man, there's a guy with a rifle on the roof," he said later to the BBC. The response was reportedly: "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 take him off the stage? ... The next thing I heard were five gunshots."
09:15 Scholz condemns attempted attack on Trump as despicableGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz comments on the assassination attempt against Trump: "The attempt on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a quick recovery. My thoughts are also with the people affected by the attack. Such acts threaten democracy."
08:28 Photographer captures image of possible projectileNew York Times photographer Doug Mills apparently took a photo at the exact moment a bullet narrowly missed Trump. Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent, told the newspaper that "the photo could very well show the air displacement from a projectile." In general, it is possible to photograph a flying bullet, Harrigan added. Mills used a Sony digital camera at the Trump rally, which can take up to 30 images per second. The photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds.
08:00 Alleged shooter registered as RepublicanThe FBI has identified the suspect. He is a man named Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old, who was killed in the shooting incident, 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 only 17 years old at the time of the donation. He registered as a Republican member in September 2021, when he turned 18.
07:46 Expert: "Secret Service must answer some questions"Donald Trump, as former President and candidate, is under the protection of the Secret Service. There are the highest security measures in place at all campaign events, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It now needs to be clarified how such an attacker was able to approach.
07:38 World leaders react in 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," writes von der Leyen. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 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," the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres states. "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 in good health. In the USA, "there is no place for this kind of violence."
07:21 Open Questions to the Secret ServiceFBI Agent Kevin Rojek states 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 states that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Despite its name, the Secret Service is not a secret service, but rather (among other things) responsible for the security of US Presidents and former US Presidents.
"They conduct the initial security assessments and determine where the various security locations should be," 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 nomination 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 spokesperson for the Secret Service, states that the suspect fired "multiple shots towards the stage" and was located "on an elevated position outside of the event perimeter." This suggests that a roof near the gathering might have been 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." The FBI officially states that they have not yet identified the shooter, but are "very close" to doing so. The shooter is deceased. According to the Pennsylvania police, it is too early to determine if it was a lone gunman. However, there is also no indication of "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump discharged from hospitalTrump was discharged from the hospital late Saturday evening (local time) according to a report by the news agency Bloomberg.
06:01 FBI confirms attempted 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. FBI Agent Kevin Rojek in Butler, the location of the rally, states that "this is an attempt to assassinate our former President Donald Trump." According to official reports, Trump was injured in the ear by the gunfire, and in addition to the suspected shooter, a bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured.
03:58 Republicans to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold their nomination convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as scheduled this week, according to a joint statement from the party and Trump's campaign team. The Republicans 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"During the attack on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the alleged shooter opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event venue. One person was killed and two others were seriously injured, according to the Secret Service. Initially, it was reported that one person had been severely injured.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in my earFormer US President Donald Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social platform that he was hit by a bullet during the attack at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet that went through the upper part of my right ear," Trump wrote.
00:33 Shots fired at Trump: Secret Service agents escort ex-president from stageFormer US President Donald Trump was escorted from the stage during a campaign event in Pennsylvania after shots were fired. Prior to this, images emerged showing Trump with a bloody ear and raised fist.
- Senator Chris Coons, a key figure in Joe Biden's campaign, encourages former US President Donald Trump to uphold a unity message in the Republican National Convention, drawing parallels with President Biden's approach.
- In light of the recent incident, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, Co-Chief of the Biden-Harris Campaign, hopes that the upcoming US Presidential Election 2024 will see a shift towards unity and cooperation, much like the calls from President Biden and former President Trump.
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