Multiple gunshots - Attack in campaign: Donald Trump secured - purported protector dead
Former US President Donald Trump was attacked during a campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania and was secured by Secret-Service agents. Loud bangs were heard on video recordings of the event in the city of Butler; it was initially unclear if they were gunshots. Trump's team announced shortly thereafter that he was fine and undergoing medical examination. It was initially unclear if the current presidential candidate had sustained injuries.
Trump had just begun his speech in Butler when the incident occurred. In the videos, Trump is seen ducking after the first loud bangs. Secret-Service agents rushed onto the stage to shield the ex-president. He left the stage upright and supported by security personnel. He raised his fist in the air. It looked like Trump had blood on his ear. The situation was initially completely unclear. Trump's supporters chanted "USA, USA, USA" as he was taken off the stage.
Panic in the audience after attack on Donald Trump
Panic broke out in the audience. People were screaming. Trump supporters were evacuated from the area. The area around the stage was cordoned off with yellow tape and secured by heavily armed response teams. It was initially unclear if and how severely Trump was injured.
The 78-year-old intends to move back into the White House after the presidential election in November. The Republican Party convention is scheduled to begin in Milwaukee on Monday. There, Trump is to be officially nominated as the Republican Party's candidate for the presidential election.
Politicians from both parties express shock
US President Joe Biden was informed of the incident, according to the White House. Several high-ranking representatives from both parties condemned the attack. Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy wrote on the platform X, "I pray for Trump."
Democratic Minority Leader of the House Hakeem Jeffries expressed similar sentiments. "America is a democracy," he wrote there. "Political violence in any form is never acceptable." Democratic Majority Leader in the Senate Chuck Schumer also shared on X that he was shocked by the incident and relieved that Trump was okay. "Political violence has no place in our country."
In the US, the political climate has been heated for years. The US Department of Justice lamented at the beginning of the year an "alarming increase in threats" against public officials and democratic institutions in the country. The presidential election on November 5 will be the first since the dramatic disturbances around the 2020 election, which ended in an unprecedented outbreak of violence.
In the midst of his campaign event in Pennsylvania, specifically in Butler, Donald Trump was involved in an incident during his campaign speech. The Secret-Service quickly intervened, shielding Trump after he ducked following the loud bangs, which initially suggested gunshots.
The attack on Trump during his election campaign event in Pennsylvania caused panic within the audience, resulting in evacuations and a securing of the area with yellow tape and heavily armed response teams.
