At 16:18, Schuetsche bought 50 bullets right before the attack.
15:53 Secret Service Reinforces Security Measures at Republican Party Convention
Following the attack on US Presidential candidate Donald Trump, security measures for the upcoming Republican Party convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have been intensified according to CNN, citing sources within the Secret Service. The Director of the Secret Service's responsible branch, Kimberly Cheatle, stated that her organization has revised and strengthened the plans for the protection of the convention in light of the attack on Saturday. She is now confident that they are prepared for all scenarios.
15:27 Ex-Agent: Trump Attack Could Be Devastating for Secret Service
Criticism of Donald Trump's personal security detail has grown louder following the attack. Former Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy also sees a failure on the part of the security forces. The incident is now being investigated - a potential disaster for the Secret Service, according to McCarthy.
15:04 White House Press Secretary: Biden Not to be Written Off in US Election
The German government still sees a chance for Amtsinhaber Joe Biden to win the US election in November despite the attack on Republican US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. White House Press Secretary Steffen Hebestreit: "Joe Biden's campaign skills should not be underestimated." He added that it is too early to believe that the American presidential election has been decided. Other politicians, such as Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder, had called on the Democrats to withdraw Biden due to his perceived lack of chances against Trump. Hebestreit emphasized that it is natural in democracies for there to be the possibility of a government change. "That's what makes democracies attractive to voters, to citizens," he said.
14:41 No Direct Contact Between Scholz and Trump After Attack
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not sought direct contact with Republican US Presidential candidate Donald Trump following the attack. However, there have been "dialogues" with both Democrats and Republicans, according to White House Press Secretary Steffen Hebestreit. Scholz had met with representatives of both parties during his recent trip to the US. The German government condemns the attack on Trump clearly. "That was a despicable crime," Hebestreit said.
14:18 Expert: Secret Service "Monumental Failure"
The Secret Service is under heavy criticism following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. "The protective detail was outside the Secret Service zone. What is that, 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 said. "Have they ever heard of the Texas Book Depository?" This is 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 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 is also 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 allowed during the RNC in the surrounding area of the RNC - in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin. The Secret Service assures, "we are fully prepared." The coordinator for the RNC-related Secret Service, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, states, "I trust that the event will be protected at the highest security level."
13:35 Chinese Company's Stock Surges after Trump Attack due to Name SimilarityAfter the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, a Chinese technology company shone on the stock exchange - all because of its name. The shares of software provider 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 widespread. This often leads to price jumps in all directions that have nothing to do with the numbers and performance of the respective company.
13:06 USA after the Attack: "Time for Revenge" for Trump and 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 martyr role and continue to fan the political hatred:
12:37 Trump Photos T-Shirts Become New Sales HitFollowing the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the online sale of T-shirts with images of the bloodied ex-president quickly reached record levels. On the T-Shirts, priced between nine and forty dollars, Trump is shown with a bloody face, raising his fist defiantly. Printed on them are slogans like "Bulletproof," "Legends never die," and "Shooting makes me stronger." The 25-year-old Li Jinwei, who sells products on the Chinese platform Taobao from Alibaba, immediately designed T-Shirts when she heard about the attack. "We had over 2000 orders within three hours from China and the US," said the businesswoman to the media in Hong Kong.
11:55 Many Years Ago: The Man "Who Destroyed American Politics"The shots at Donald Trump during a campaign rally mark the provisional low point of the polarizing struggle between political factions in the USA. The Republican Party's accusations against the Democrats are "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," the attempted assassination on Ex-President Donald Trump and the beginning of the Republican Party convention, where he is set to be officially endorsed as the presidential candidate, writes: "The example that political leaders will give in the coming days is crucial in determining how the rest of the election campaign season will unfold. (...) Trump and the top Republicans gathering in Milwaukee this week carry a special responsibility to not use the attack as a means to inflame their base. They must recognize that the U.S. 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 urged U.S. citizens to renounce violence.
10:42 After Shooting on Trump: "The divide in the U.S. is getting deeper"
Could the attempted assassination on Donald Trump become a moment of inner political reconciliation for the American society? Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees no signs of it. On the contrary, the split in the country could worsen.
10:13 First Analyses: Chances of a Victory in the Election for Trump Increase
The attempted assassination on former U.S. 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 victory by Trump, who is positively evaluated by the market according to the analyst, rose to 67 percent, compared to 61 percent before the assassination attempt. "Although the assassination attempt fuels concerns about a deeply divided America where political violence is gaining ground, it has increased the chances that Trump will win the presidential elections in November," the analyst explains.
09:54 The Attack 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. Many in political Berlin recall the first term unfavorably, as ntv correspondent Heike Boese summarizes:
09:25 "Heated moments could now become very, very dangerous"
Germany's SPD party chair, Saskia Esken, says in the RTL/ntv Morning Show in response to the question of whether the assassination attempt will increase Trump's chances of winning: "That's to be expected, yes, that he and especially his supporters will use this incident to further heat up the situation. We've had similar situations in the past that have ended up at the Capitol, for example. Such heated moments could now become very, very dangerous, not just in terms of a victory in the election." In response to the question of how Germany and the federal government should react if Trump wins the presidential elections, the SPD chair says: "It's long been clear that the federal government, that governments in Europe, are aware that they need to draw closer together."
08:48 "Have we overlooked something?" - Secret Service under scrutiny after Trump attack
Following the attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under scrutiny for not providing adequate 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 fire: Shots fired at Trump: "Officer may have followed the assassin"
In the aftermath of the planned attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service must answer many questions. Trump himself has thus far only commented on Truth Social regarding the incident, and the Republican Party convention is approaching. ntv correspondent Christopher Wittich summarizes the latest developments.
07:34 After the attack: Biden doesn't want a "battlefield"
US President Biden speaks out on the attack on his political rival Donald Trump in a speech and on social media. The 81-year-old writes on X: "Disagreements are inevitable in American democracy. They are part of human nature. But politics should never be a literal battlefield, or - God forbid - a deadly one."
06:57 The attack has turned everything upside down
The Australian newspaper "Sydney Morning Herald" writes about the attack on Donald Trump: "US President Joe Biden faces a delicate balancing act as America continues to reel from the attack on his biggest political rival. After weeks of discussions following the TV debate, Biden had planned to intensify his attacks on Donald Trump in the coming weeks to prove to Democrats that he has the mental and physical strength to beat the 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 attack on the former president on Saturday has turned everything upside down. Facing the fear of escalating violence, Biden knows he cannot afford to further fuel the simmering tensions of a country teeming with hostility, anger, and fear."
06:38 A grand show is coming: Trump has arrived in Milwaukee
After the party primaries in each state, both the Democrats and Republicans must officially confirm their overall results on a national level. This happens at the respective nomination conventions. The Democrats will gather for this purpose in mid-August in Chicago, Illinois. The Republican nomination convention, on the other hand, takes place from July 15 to 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump has already arrived in the city. He can present himself for the first time as the clear leader of the Republicans at a nomination convention. In 2016, he entered as an outsider, and in 2020, the Republicans were prevented from holding a grand, pompous event due to the pandemic.
06:14 The Trump assassination attempt affects the stock exchange
Asian stock markets react 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 rose, which experts attribute to the expectation of a potentially inflationary and debt-intensive economic policy under a Trump presidency. Additionally, stricter immigration laws could worsen the labor market and push 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 Trump's chances continue to improve after 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 a chance for the whole country, indeed the whole world, to come together," Trump tells the "Washington Examiner." The incident deeply affected him. 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," Trump said in a speech aboard his 757 as he flew to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. "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 reportedly had possible explosives in his house. The "New York Times" reports this based on sources involved in 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, said in a statement. "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 and 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 regularly seeking this consensus and have been networking intensively with the competent colleagues in CDU and CSU on the topic of preparation for a potential 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 possible victory by Trump.
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 rival Donald Trump. "We settle our differences at the ballot box. That's how we do it - at the ballot box, not with bullets," Biden said in a rare address to the nation from the Oval Office in the White House. "We need to lower the heated rhetoric in politics." He reminded Americans that they were "neighbors and friends, not enemies." 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 of the upcoming presidential elections.
01:46 Biden resumes campaign planning
Following a brief campaign pause due to the attack on his predecessor and political opponent Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden plans to resume public appearances in the coming days. According to the White House, Biden will visit the NAACP 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 to return to the White House.
01:04 Quiet 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 a young man with side-parted dark blond hair, glasses, and a few freckles on his face. Crooks' former classmates described him as a "quiet" student who often seemed "lonely," as reported by ABC News. One classmate said Crooks had been socially withdrawn. He could not recall ever 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 had been bullied. "He was quiet, but he was just bullied. He was bullied so much." Crooks, who occasionally wore hunting clothing, was reportedly 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 assassin had better aim. According to "New York Times," Jacqueline Marsaw wrote on Facebook: "I don't condone violence, but please take marksmanship lessons, so you don't miss next time." Thompson, who represents Mississippi's second district in the US House of Representatives, writes on X, expresses gratitude that Trump is okay. He adds, "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 agent in charge of security for the Republican Party convention shares that the measures for the large event have not been intensified yet. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not see the possibility of banning weapons in the outdoor 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 party's presidential candidate this week. Trump is trying 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) for the party convention.
23:21 Motive of the shooter still unclear
After the shooting at US presidential candidate Donald Trump, the motive of the shooter is still unclear. "We have no information on the motive of the shooter," says US President Joe Biden at the White House to journalists. Biden urges the public not to make assumptions and to let the law enforcement agencies do their work.
22:53 Financial markets expect "landslide victory for Trump"
After the attempted assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets need to reposition themselves. The bullet that hit Trump during a campaign rally could increase his chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect the markets to be volatile, as they may 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 at Eastspring Investments in Singapore, expects the dollar to continue its recovery and investors to focus on a higher return on US government bonds.
22:07 Injured spectators in stable condition
The two people who were seriously injured in the shooting attempt on 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 identifiable ideology or psychosis detected
The FBI issues a warning: The alleged shooter acted alone, there are no further threats to security, an FBI representative stated. 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 clues regarding an ideology or a psychological condition of the alleged attacker. The weapon was legally purchased, presumably by the suspect's father. Bomb experts have also secured a suspicious device in the alleged attacker's car, which has been taken to the lab for further investigation.
21:42 Starmer phones Trump
Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to government sources, has phoned Trump. 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 They will wait: Söder gives Democrats an "external 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 Republican Party convention in Wisconsin 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, in the afternoon local time on Sunday and would 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 leave for Texas 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 commission to investigate attack
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 in the evening (during the German night on Monday). For the Republican Party convention, which begins on Monday, security measures will be increased, Biden also announced. 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 comments on Trump assassination attempt
US President Joe Biden comments 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 stated, "There's no place for this kind of violence in America." He then phoned 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 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 "everyone must condemn political violence."
18:44 Former German US ambassador: Copycats or avengers more likely
The former German ambassador to the US, Wolfgang Ischinger, warns of the danger of a spiral of violence in the US election campaign. "Copycats - against Trump - or avengers - against Joe Biden - are more likely," he tells the "Tagesspiegel." This is all the more true because "multiple conspiracy theories are confusing the already uncertain American electorate." Michael Link, the Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, also fears further political polarization in the US. "That must not happen. It's important now to maintain calm and respect. That's what President Joe Biden did with his call to Donald 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 tips 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 Jr.'s children pay tribute to their father and thank the agents who protected him. "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America", Donald Trump Jr. writes on X about 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 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
According to the "Wall Street Journal", the Trump assassin also had explosives in his car. The car was secured near the scene of the crime, reports the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used in the attack was bought 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, it is not possible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in very short order.
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 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 X. When she saw that a bullet had grazed her husband, she realized that her life and that of her son Barron were "on the brink of a devastating change". Melania Trump also thanks the personal protectors of 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 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. "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 agencies are working intensely to ensure security at the upcoming Republican Party convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different law enforcement agencies, details on the preparations were not disclosed by Whatley during an interview on Fox News.
15:44 Top Trump Campaign Advisors: "Please report anything suspicious immediately"Top advisors for Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We reinforce 24/7 armed security presence on site with officers present. 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 on-site security team", it further states.
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 speculations 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 towards calming nerves. "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", 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 National Convention is taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, he is praying for the wounded and holding the memory of the deceased "in our hearts". Trump had already called for unity in his inaugural address as US President in January 2017.
12:58 NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg shocked by 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 Twitter. 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 shooter's shots and Secret Service shotsThe American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which both the shooter's gunshots and the Secret Service's shots, which may have saved Trump's life, can be heard. The attack caused panic among onlookers. The recording was made from outside the area where the rally was taking place, as TMZ reports.
11:40 Secret Service refutes Republican's allegationThe Secret Service has refuted the allegation that they had denied additional security resources to Trump in the last few months. "The claim 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.
Few hours after the attack, Republican Representative Michael Waltz stated that he had "reliable sources" who said 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 recoveryFederal 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," writes Steinmeier 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 reject hatred and hate speech from election campaigns and debates! Democracy tolerates sharp controversies - but violence destroys democracy. Donald J. Trump and the injured person wish a swift recovery. My deep condolences go to the family of the victim of the attack."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly, instinctively"Seconds after the shots were fired, Donald Trump was seen raising his fist at Secret Service agents, covered in blood. Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees the "Master of political marketing" at work here. It remains to be seen 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 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 work in this case. The sharpshooter seems to be observing something or someone through his telescopic sight. He recoils, just before the shots are heard, suggesting that he became aware of the shooter as a threat in that moment. Shortly thereafter, the shooter was shot.
09:23 Participant warned security before the attackBefore the shots were fired at Trump's campaign rally in Butler, participants had noticed a man with a rifle on a roof near the venue. One of them, Greg Smith, told on-site security personnel: "Hey man, there's a guy with a rifle on the roof", he later told the BBC. The response was: "Ha, 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 despicableGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented 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 bullet." 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 a RepublicanThe FBI has identified the alleged shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. He is 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 17 years old at the time of the donation. In September 2021, he registered as a member of the Republican Party.
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 highest security precautions at all campaign events, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It now needs to be clarified how it was possible that a shooter was able to approach, despite these security measures.
07:38 World leaders react in shockWorld leaders reacted in shock to the attack on ex-President Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, she was deeply shocked, wished Trump a quick recovery, and expressed her condolences to the innocent victim's family. "Political violence has no place in a democracy," she wrote. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed his thoughts: "My thoughts are with former President Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans."
The United Nations also condemned 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 said. "He wishes President Trump a quick recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also shared his feelings: "I am appalled by the news of the attack," he wrote. "Such violence has no justification and no place in the world. May Trump recover quickly."
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden stated that he was grateful that Trump was safe and in good health. In the US, "there is no place for this kind of violence," he said.
07:21 Open Questions to the Secret ServiceFBI Agent Kevin Rojek states at a press conference that it was "surprising" that the protector 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. 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 says. "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 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 announced that the nomination convention will take place as planned; the convention takes place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee. There, Trump will be officially nominated as the Republican presidential candidate. US President Biden shared that the Democrats will 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 site." 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 states that they have not yet identified the shooter, but are "close" to doing so. The shooter is dead. According to the Pennsylvania police, it is too early to say whether it was a lone gunman. However, there is also no indication of "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump discharged from hospitalTrump was discharged from the hospital late Saturday evening (local time), according to a report by the news agency Bloomberg.
06:01 FBI confirms attempted assassination of Ex-President Trump at rallyThe US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) classifies 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 says in Butler, the location of the rally. According to official reports, Trump was injured in the ear by the gunfire, and in addition to the suspected shooter, a spectator 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 was critically injured.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in the earFormer US President Donald Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social platform that he was hit by a bullet in the ear during the attack at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet in the ear, which pierced the upper part of the right ear," Trump wrote.
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. In images, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
- Despite the recent attack on Donald Trump, Joe Biden's campaign team remains confident that he can still win the US Presidentship Election 2024, as stated by White House Press Secretary Steffen Hebestreit.
- The attempted assassination of Donald Trump has sparked intense criticism of the Secret Service's security measures, with experts like Richard Painter calling it a "monumental failure" and urging a thorough investigation.
