At 20:29, the Republican Party convention begins in Milwaukee
Covered by the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the Republican Party convention officially began. The delegates of the party are gathering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin through Thursday, to formally nominate the former US President Trump as the Presidential candidate. This is supposed to happen this evening. The delegates will cast their votes based on the results of the primary elections. The process is considered a formality - Trump has the necessary votes. The highlight of the event is expected to be a speech by Trump on Thursday evening (local time).
8:09 PM Jaeger: "It's surprising that someone came to shoot here"
The shooting at Trump in Pennsylvania has completely disrupted the campaign. Biden was pushed into a role that crossed his original plans, says political scientist Thomas Jaeger. Trump's peace offering is not to be taken seriously. Jaeger sees many open questions regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
7:36 PM Trump calls for Secret-Service protection for Kennedy
Former President Donald Trump is calling for Secret-Service protection for independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Truth Social, his own social network. Kennedy should "immediately" receive protection, Trump writes. Given the history of the Kennedy family, this is "obviously the right thing to do," Trump adds. Both Robert F. Kennedy's uncle, John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the USA, and his father Robert F. Kennedy were victims of assassinations in the 1960s.
7:08 PM US Homeland Security Minister: Trump shooting was a security failure
The shooting at US Presidential candidate Donald Trump, according to Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorkas, marks a security failure. "Something like this should not happen," Mayorkas told CNN. "When I say it should not happen, we're talking about a failure." Mayorkas was explicitly asked if he holds the Secret Service responsible for the security failure that led to the shooting. The agency is responsible for the protection of the sitting and former President and falls under Mayorkas' ministry. Mayorkas promises an independent and thorough investigation to determine how the shooting at Trump during a campaign rally in the US state of Pennsylvania on Saturday could have occurred. Based on the findings, recommendations for security measures will be made.
6:43 PM After the shooting: Trump to announce his VP pick
Donald Trump is expected to announce his Vice Presidential pick still today, Monday, according to a TV report. Fox News host Bret Baier said he had spoken with Trump and Trump had said that the Vice Presidential pick would be announced today. In addition, there are supposed to be surprises.
6:19 Democratic Senator hopes for signal from Trump
Democratic Senator Chris Coons, Co-Chair of the Biden-Harris campaign, hopes that former President Donald Trump will use his platform at the Republican National Convention to "follow President Biden's example." Speaking to CNN, Coons cited Biden's earlier statements, including his inaugural address, in which he called for unity among the American people. His remarks come after Trump told the "Washington Examiner" on Sunday that he would rewrite his original speech, as it presented an opportunity to "bring the whole country, if not the whole world, together."
17:49 Secret Service will fully support an independent investigation
The Director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, has announced that the agency will cooperate fully with an independent review of security arrangements for the attack on Donald Trump at his campaign rally on Saturday. According to the "Washington Post," she said, "We are aware of the significance of the independent review announced by President Biden yesterday, and we will fully participate. We will also work with the relevant Congressional committees in all regulatory measures." Cheatle added that the results will be made public.
17:23 King Charles sends personal message to Donald TrumpThe British King Charles III has reportedly sent a personal message to former US President Donald Trump following the attack. The exact content of the message was not disclosed. It was in line with a conversation between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump, according to the British news agency PA, citing palace sources.
17:01 Ex-classmates describe Attacker Crooks as a miserable marksman
The Trump 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 had tried to join the marksmanship team in his first year at Bethel Park High School but was rejected during tryouts. "He didn't even make it into the team," 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 marksmanship team told the sender that the Trump attacker "wasn't really suitable for the team." He added, "He also shot terribly."
16:41 Local sharpshooters were supposedly supposed to secure the attacker's building
One of the two local anti-sniper teams was supposed to secure the building used by the shooter, according to CNN, citing an unnamed 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 the attack
The Trump attacker Thomas Matthew Crooks bought new ammunition shortly before the attack, according to CNN, citing sources in law enforcement. The shooter reportedly purchased 50 rounds of ammunition at a local gun shop just a few hours before the incident.
15:53 Secret Service strengthens security measures for 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 strengthened, according to Kimberly Cheatle, the Director of the responsible Secret Service. She stated that her organization had revised and reinforced 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 contingencies.
15:27 Ex-Agent: Trump assassination attempt could devastate Secret Service
After the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, criticism of his personal protection is growing louder. Former Secret-Service Agent Tim McCarthy also sees 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 presidential campaign
The German government also sees a chance that Joe Biden could win the US presidential election in November, despite the assassination attempt on the US presidential candidate Donald Trump. "We should not underestimate Biden's campaign skills," says Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. "Therefore, it's too early to believe that the American presidential election has already been decided." Other politicians, such as Bavaria's Minister-President Markus Söder, had called on the Democrats to persuade Biden to withdraw, as he was now allegedly chanceless against Trump. Hebestreit emphasizes that it is natural in democracies for there to always be the possibility of a government change. "That's what makes them so attractive for voters, for citizens," he says.
14:41 No direct contact between Scholz and Trump after assassination
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not yet sought direct contact with the Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump after the assassination attempt. However, there are "dialogues" with both Democrats and Republicans, according to Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. Scholz had met representatives of both parties in the US in the past week. The German government condemns the attack on Trump clearly. "That was a despicable crime," says Hebestreit.
14:18 Expert attests Secret Service "monumental failure"
After the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under heavy criticism. "The protectee was outside the Secret-Service zone. What kind of zone is that?" asks Richard Painter, a White House employee under the former President George W. Bush and now a law professor at the University of Minnesota. He sees a "monumental security failure" and demands a detailed investigation. If a roof is within the range of a rifle to a President or presidential candidate, "then it's the Secret Service's job to be on that roof," says Painter. "Have you 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 rally in Milwaukee: Thousands of additional police in action
Security measures will be particularly strict at the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee. Up to 4500 additional police officers from the surrounding area will be deployed in addition to the local police forces to secure the RNC, according to the local Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The area around the Fiserv Forum is declared a no-fly zone for drones for the duration of the convention. Outside the area, where the Secret Service is responsible for personal protection, weapons are allowed to be carried during the convention - in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin. The Secret Service assures, "we are fully prepared." The responsible Secret-Service coordinator for the convention, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, says she trusts that the event will be "protected at the highest level of security."
13:35 Trump Attack Boosts Chinese Firm's Stock Market Performance
Following the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, a Chinese technology company shone at the stock exchange - all due to its name. The shares of software provider Wisesoft surged today at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange by the daily maximum of ten percent. The company name in Mandarin is Chuan Da Zhi Sheng, which sounds remarkably similar to the Chinese translation of the sentence "Trump wins big." In China, stock market speculation linked to current events is widespread. This often leads to price surges 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 Trump and Republicans to Seek Revenge"
The interpretation of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump is in full swing. Political scientist Andrew B. Denison believes that the former president and the Republicans will assume the role of martyrs and fan the political hatred further:
12:37 T-Shirts with Trump Photos are the New Sales Hit
Following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, online sales of T-shirts featuring images of the bloodied ex-president have skyrocketed within a short period. On the 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, immediately designed T-Shirts when she heard about the incident. "We had over 2,000 orders from China and the US within three hours," the businesswoman told 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 lowest point of the polarizing struggle between political factions in the US. 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 Set by Political Leaders in the Coming Days is Crucial"
Regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the start of the Republican Party convention, where he is to be officially nominated as the presidential candidate, the "Los Angeles Times" writes: "The example set by political leaders in the coming days is crucial for how the rest of the election campaign will unfold. (...) Trump and the top Republicans gathering in Milwaukee this week carry a special responsibility for not using the attack as a tool to inflame their base. They must recognize that the US is a powder keg right now, and heated rhetoric should be toned down before sparks fly. For the moment, they must recognize that violence, once unleashed, is non-partisan." Previously, President Biden had already called on US citizens to renounce violence.
10:42 After the Shooting: "The Divide in the US Will Deepen"
Could the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump be a moment of inner political reconciliation for American society? Political scientist Thomas Jäger sees no signs of it. On the contrary, the split in the country may worsen.
10:13 Initial Analysis: Chances of a Victory in the Election for Trump Increase
First Analysis: Chances of a Victory in the November Election for Trump Are Rising, According to Ipek Ozkardeskaya, Analyst at Swissquote Bank. The chances for a victory by Trump, who is positively evaluated by the market according to the analyst, rose to 67 percent, compared to 61 percent before the attack, according to data from the online tool PredictIt. "Although the attack fuels concerns about deeply divided America where political violence is gaining the upper hand, it has increased the chances that Trump will win the presidential elections in November," explains the analyst.
09:54 Attack as a Campaign Boost? Berlin Prepares 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 with less than pleasant memories, as ntv correspondent Heike Boese summarizes:
09:25 "Heated Moments Could Become Extremely Dangerous"
Germany's SPD party chair Saskia Esken, in an interview with RTL/ntv Frühstart, on whether the attack would boost Trump's chances: "It's to be expected, yes, that he and especially his supporters will use this incident to further heat up the situation. We have experienced similar situations in the past, which have ended up in storming the Capitol. Such heated moments could become extremely dangerous, not only in terms of a victory in the election." On how Germany and the German government should react if Trump wins the presidential elections, Esken says: "It's long been the case that the German government, along with other European governments, is aware that we need to draw closer together."
08:48 "Have We Overlooked Something?" - Consequences Threaten the Secret Service
Following the attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service is under scrutiny for failing to provide adequate protection. "The Congress will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the tragic events of yesterday to determine where there were gaps in security and what else the American people need to know," says spokesman Mike Johnson, a Republican and Trump ally, to NBC. Robert E. McDonald, a professor at the University of New Haven who worked for the Secret Service for 20 years, also comments in 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 intelligence service did not secure the building with snipers.
08:05 Secret Service under Scrutiny: Shots at Trump: "Was the Assailant Following the Police Officer?"
In the aftermath of the planned attack on Donald Trump, the Secret Service faces many questions. Trump himself has so 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 the Attack: Joe Biden will not make "Battlefield"
US-President Biden expresses himself in a speech and on social media again regarding the attack on his political rival Donald Trump. The 81-year-old writes on X: "Political differences are unavoidable in the American democracy. They are part of human nature. But politics should never be a literal battlefield or - God forbid - a deadly battlefield."
06:57 The Attack Has Turned Everything Upside Down
Regarding the attack on Donald Trump, the Australian newspaper "Sydney Morning Herald" writes: "US-President Joe Biden faces a delicate balancing act, as America continues to reel from the attack on its largest political rival. After weeks of discussions following the TV debate, Biden had planned to intensify his attacks on Donald Trump in the coming weeks to prove to Democrats that he has the mental and physical strength to beat the disruptive Republicans in the November election. The strategy was simple: present the voters with the strengths of his performance 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 thrown everything into disarray. Facing the fear of escalating violence, Biden knows he cannot further fuel the tensions of a country teeming with hostility, anger, and fear."
06:38 A Grand Show is Coming Up: Trump is in Milwaukee
Following the primary elections in the individual states, 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 mid-August in Chicago, Illinois. The Republican nomination convention, on the other hand, takes place this time from July 15 to 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump has already arrived in the city. He can present himself for the first time as the clear leader of the Republicans at a nomination convention. In 2016, he entered as an outsider, and in 2020, the Republicans were prevented from holding a large, pompous event due to the pandemic.
06:14 The Trump Attack Affects the Stock Exchange
The Asian stock markets react with uncertainty to the attempted attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Investors are concerned about potential consequences for future US economic policy. At the bond markets, yields for government bonds rose, which experts attribute to the expectation of a potentially inflationary and debt-intensive economic policy under a Trump presidency. In addition, stricter immigration laws could complicate the labor market and drive wages up. "The market reaction to a Trump presidency was previously characterized by a stronger dollar and a steeper curve of US government bonds," says Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager at Eastspring Investments in Singapore. "We may observe some of these developments in the coming week if the election chances continue to improve after this incident."
05:56 Trump: He thinks about it again and again
Donald Trump thinks about the moment before the attempted attack that may have saved his life: a small head movement to better see the screen. This likely prevented a bullet from fatally hitting his head and instead grazed his ear. "The most incredible thing is that I not only turned around, but exactly at the right time and in the right amount," Trump told the "Washington Examiner" during a speech on board his 757 as he flew to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention's beginning. "If I had only turned half around, it would have hit the back of my head. The other way would have gone straight through my skull. The chance of me making a perfect turn was probably less than one in ten percent, so I shouldn't be here."
05:22 Trump: I'm realizing it now
After the attempted attack at a campaign event, Donald Trump calls for calm and unity. "This is a chance to bring the whole country, if not the whole world, together," Trump told the "Washington Examiner." The incident deeply affected him. He now realizes ("Reality is just setting in"). Trump survived the attack because he turned away from the crowd in the crucial moment. "I rarely turn away from the crowd. If I hadn't done that in this moment, we wouldn't be having this conversation, or?"
04:46 NYT: Explosives in Trump-Attacker's house
More information is coming to light about the Trump attacker. Besides the rudimentary explosives found in Thomas Matthew Crooks' car, the 20-year-old may have had explosives in his house. The "New York Times" reports this based on sources involved in the investigation.
04:15 Trump-Attacker was a member of a shooting range
According to US media, the Trump attacker was a member of a shooting range. "The Clairton Sportsmen's Club can confirm that Thomas Matthew Crooks was a member," the club's lawyer, Robert Bootay, stated in a declaration. "Beyond that, the Club, in the face 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 Trump's re-election
The German government is preparing for a possible second US presidency for Donald Trump, according to the words of its Transatlantic Coordinator, Michael Link. "Besides the intensive preparations of the German government, which are running very intensively but self-evidently confidentially behind the scenes, it also requires 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 intensively networking with the competent colleagues in the CDU and CSU on the topic of preparation for a potential scenario Trump 2.0," the FDP politician says. Previously, the deputy CDU faction leader Jens Spahn and the green chairman of the Bundestag European Affairs Committee, Anton Hofreiter, urged Germany to better prepare 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 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 at the White House. "We need to lower the heated rhetoric 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
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 conference 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 scheduled trip to Texas on Monday and cut short a weekend stay in Delaware to return to the White House.
01:04 Quiet and frequently bullied: What is known about the shooter Matthew Crooks
The FBI identified the Trump attacker as the 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," as reported by ABC News. One classmate stated that Crooks had been socially withdrawn. He couldn't remember hearing Crooks discuss politics in general or Trump specifically. Jason Kohler, who claimed to have attended the same high school as the alleged shooter, spoke to reporters, stating 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 mocked for his clothing style.
00:35 "Next time not to the side": Democratic congresswoman fires staffer for Facebook post
Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson in the US House of Representatives fired a staffer who posted on social media that they wished the Trump attacker had shot more accurately. According to "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, wrote on X, expressing 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-Cichino of the Secret Service, reports that the measures for the large event have not been intensified yet. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not intend to prohibit weapons in the exterior area of the event venue as an additional precaution. Carrying firearms is protected by state laws, Johnson says. The Mega-Event is scheduled to officially declare Donald Trump as the presidential candidate of the party in the coming week. Trump is trying to avoid giving an impression of weakness: He announced that he will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US state for the party convention on Sunday afternoon (local time).
23:21 Biden: Motive of the shooter still unclear
The motive of the shooter who targeted US presidential candidate Donald Trump remains unclear. "We don't have any information about the motive of the shooter," says US President Joe Biden at the White House to journalists. Biden urges the population 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 assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets must reposition themselves. The bullet that hit Trump at an election rally could increase his chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect the markets to be volatile and for 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 assassination attempt on Donald Trump are reportedly 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 visitors were seriously injured.
21:57 FBI: Shooter acted alone, no identifiable ideology or mental illness yet
The FBI issued a statement: The alleged shooter acted alone, and there is no further danger to security, an FBI representative said. The incident is being classified as a domestic terrorist attack and an attempted assassination. The FBI is investigating the social media accounts of the 20-year-old who was killed. However, no clear evidence of an ideology or mental illness has been found in the alleged shooter. 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
Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to government sources, has spoken with the wounded former US President Trump. He condemned the violence, expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, and wished Trump and the others a quick recovery, reports the British news agency PA.
21:16 They will be waiting for this: Söder gives US Democrats "recommendation from outside"
"Violence is certainly not a means of resolution", says CSU-leader Markus Söder and wishes Donald Trump a speedy recovery after the attack. He assesses the consequences for the presidential campaign and gives the Democrats a tip.
20:47 Trump to travel to Republican Party convention in Wisconsin soon
Just one day after the attack on him, former US President Donald Trump plans to travel to the Republican Party convention in the state of Wisconsin. The Republican presidential candidate wrote on the online platform Truth Social that he would leave for Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon local time and would 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.
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 says at the White House and announces that he will address the American people in an official statement from the Oval Office in the evening (German night on Monday). For the Republican Party convention, which begins on Monday, security measures should be increased, he also announces. An independent investigation into the background of the attack is also to be carried out. Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris were informed of the latest 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 attempt on his rival Donald Trump. Biden had already spoken out a few hours after the incident on Saturday and stated that "there is no place for this kind of violence in America". He then called Trump. Biden was briefed on the investigation status by the heads of the FBI and the Secret Service, the security agency for presidents and former presidents, in the morning.
19:43 Firefighter threw himself in front of his family and died "as a hero"
The man killed at a campaign rally for former US President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and family man. 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 shield them when the shots rang out at the Trump rally. He was a "passionate supporter" of Trump. In addition to the one man who died, two other spectators were injured. Shapiro said their condition was critical.
19:13 Some Republicans place blame on Biden and the Democrats
A large majority of Republicans in Congress offer prayers and support for former President Donald Trump in the hours following the shooting at a campaign event in Butler. According to the "Washington Post", approximately 30 of them directly accuse President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, or journalists for allegedly instigating the attack - despite Biden's clear condemnation of the crime and his statement that "everyone must condemn political violence."
18:44 Former German US Ambassador: Imitators or Avengers more likely
The former German ambassador to the US, Wolfgang Ischinger, warns of the danger of a spiral of violence in the US election campaign. "Imitators - against Trump -, or Avengers - against Joe Biden - are more likely," he tells the "Tagesspiegel". This is all the more true because "multiple conspiracy theories will only further confuse the already uncertain American electorate." Michael Link, the Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, 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 X next to a photo of his father with a bloodied face raising his fist. Eric Trump shares the same photo with a similar message on Instagram. 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. Unlike the military version, it is technically impossible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can still 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, Melania Trump has also spoken out. The slain guard was a "Monster," who had tried to "extinguish Donald's passion, his laughter, his inventiveness, his love of music, and his enthusiasm," explained the former First Lady of the United States 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 thanks the security personnel of her husband.
16:26 "They're not behind me, they're behind you" - Trump campaign launches fundraising appeal
In the opinion of 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," says Bannon. "It confirms the belief of his voters that something fundamental is wrong in this country." Trump's appearances at the four-day Republican nomination convention in Milwaukee, which begins on Monday, could be fueled by the attack. "If the country wasn't a powder keg before, it is now," says Chip Felkel, a Republican political analyst who is not a Trump supporter. Hours after the attack, Trump's campaign launched a fundraising appeal via text message. "They're not behind me, they're behind you," reads the message to voters.
16:08 Concerns before the convention: Republicans working with 40 security agencies
The chairman of the Republicans, Michael Whatley, assures that the authorities are working intensively to ensure security at the upcoming Republican convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different security agencies, according to Whatley in the Fox News channel.
15:44 Top advisors from Trump's campaign team: "If something seems strange to you, please report it immediately"
Top advisors from Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are reinforcing the armed security presence 24/7 with officers on site. Additional security checks are being conducted. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all staff," quotes the "Washington Post" the Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We also 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 a security team on site," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump attackAt 15:24 during 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, Wisconsin, the Republican National Convention takes place from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, he is praying for the wounded, and holds the memory of the slain citizen "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 him a speedy recovery and is thinking of the victims. Political violence has no place in democracies. The NATO allies stand 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 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 Republican 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 the Secret Service or the Home Security Department denied is absolutely false", said Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. In fact, the Secret Service had recently increased security measures.
A few hours after the attack on Trump, Republican congressman Michael Waltz had said that he had "reliable sources" who told him that there had been repeated requests for stronger intelligence service protection for Trump. Waltz provided no evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump swift recoveryFederal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns the attack and expresses his condolences to the victim's family: "I condemn the attack 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 person wish them a swift recovery. My deepest condolences to the victim's family."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly, instinctively"Seconds after the shots were fired, Donald Trump is seen raising his fist towards Secret Service agents, covered in blood. Political scientist Thomas Jaeger 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.
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 didn't know what was going on. "I thought: Why is Trump still speaking, why didn't they take him off the stage? ... The next thing I heard were five gunshots."
09:15 Scholz condemns the attackChancellor Olaf Scholz comments on the attempted attack against Trump on X: "The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is abhorrent. I wish him a swift recovery. My thoughts are also with the people affected by the attack. Such acts threaten democracy."
08:28 Photographer took picture of possibly flying projectileDoug Mills, a photographer for the "New York Times," apparently took a picture at 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 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 pictures 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 suspect. It 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 donation organization on Biden's inauguration day in January 2021.
The "New York Post" points out that Crooks was only 17 years old at the time of the donation. He registered as a Republican 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 is now necessary to find out how it was possible that a shooter could attack, despite these measures.
07:38 World leaders react shockedWorld leaders reacted shocked to the attack on Ex-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 innocent victim's family. "Political violence has no place in a democracy", she writes. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expresses similar sentiments. "My thoughts are with former President Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans."
The United Nations also condemns the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of political violence", 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 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, during a press conference, 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 located", Rojek says. "And they are responsible for securing the crime scene." A representative of the Secret Service was not present at the press conference. "Nobody was available", so Rojek.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, apparently unharmedA Trump spokesperson posted a video showing Trump leaving an airport in New Jersey unaided. His injured ear was 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, said the suspect had "fired several shots at the stage" and was on "an elevated position" outside the event venue. This likely refers to a roof near the rally.
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 to the "Washington Post." The FBI officially stated that they had not yet identified the shooter but were "close" to doing so. The shooter is dead. According to Pennsylvania police, it is too early to tell if it was a lone gunman. 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 Bloomberg.
06:01 FBI confirms attempt to assassinate former President Trump at rallyFollowing the shooting at a campaign rally in the US state of Pennsylvania, the FBI has classified the incident as an "assassination attempt" against former President Donald Trump. "This is an attempt to assassinate our former President Donald Trump," FBI Agent Kevin Rojek said in Butler, the location of the rally. Trump was injured in the ear, and, according to official reports, the shooter and one spectator were 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, the statement added.
03:58 Republicans plan to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold the Nominating Convention in Milwaukee this week as planned, despite the attack on their presidential candidate Donald Trump. The party and Trump's campaign team made the announcement in a joint statement. The Republicans will gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, starting Monday to officially nominate the 78-year-old Trump as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Authorities: Shooter fired from an elevated positionAt the attack on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the suspect fired from an "elevated position" outside the event venue, according to the Secret Service. One spectator was killed, and two others were seriously injured. Initially, there was talk of a seriously injured person.
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 during a campaign appearance. "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 guards escort ex-President off stageThe former US President Donald Trump was escorted off the stage during a campaign appearance in the state of Pennsylvania by security personnel. Before that, shots were fired. In the pictures, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
- Despite the attempted assassination on Donald Trump, the Republican Party is still planning to nominate him as their presidential candidate in the United States Presidential Election 2024.
- Joe Biden, on the other hand, is expected to use his platform during the Democratic National Convention to promote unity, as advised by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, in contrast to the divisive rhetoric often seen in Donald Trump's speeches.
