Next time not to shoot beside
Democratic U.S. 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 classes so you don't miss next time." Thompson, who represents the second district of the U.S. state of Mississippi, writes on X, he is thankful that Trump is doing well. He adds that there is no place for political violence in America's democracy.
23:50 No Intensification of Security Measures at Republican Party Convention
The Secret Service employee in charge of security at 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 during the week. Trump is trying to avoid giving the impression of weakness after the attack: 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
The motive of the shooter who attempted to assassinate U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump remains unclear. "We still have no information on the shooter's motive," says U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House to journalists. Biden urges the public not to speculate and to let the law enforcement agencies do their work.
22:53 Financial Markets Expect a "Landslide Victory" for Trump
After the attempted assassination of U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, financial markets need to reposition themselves. The bullet that hit Trump at an election rally could increase his chances of winning - and therefore, investors expect the financial markets to focus on a steeper yield curve for US Treasury bonds. "The election is likely to be a landslide. This reduces uncertainty," says Nick Ferres, Chief Investment Manager at Vantage Point Asset Management. Rong Ren Goh, Portfolio Manager of Eastspring Investments in Singapore, expects the dollar to continue its recovery and investors to focus on a higher return on US government bonds.
22:07 Injured Attendees in Stable Condition
The two people who were seriously injured in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump are in stable condition, according to the police in Pennsylvania. At the shooting during a campaign rally, a man from the audience was killed. The alleged shooter was shot by security guards. Trump was lightly wounded, and two attendees were seriously injured.
21:57 FBI: The suspect acted alone, no ideology identifiable yet
The FBI issues a warning: The alleged shooter acted alone, there are no further threats to security, an FBI representative tells the press. The incident is being classified as a domestic terrorist 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 identifiable signs of an ideology or a psychological condition of the alleged attacker so far. The weapon was legally purchased, presumably by the suspect's father. Bomb experts have also secured a suspicious device in the suspect's car, which has been taken to the lab for further investigation.
21:42 Starmer phones Trump
Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has phoned Trump, according to government sources. He has 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 Soeder gives Democrats an "external recommendation"
"Violence is certainly not a means of dispute resolution," says CSU chief Markus Soeder and wishes Trump a speedy recovery after the attack. He assesses the consequences for the presidential campaign and gives the Democrats a tip.
20:47 Trump to travel to Wisconsin Republican Party convention soon
Just a day after the attack on him, former US President Donald Trump plans to travel to the Republican Party convention in the state of Wisconsin. Trump announced on the online platform Truth Social that he would leave for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday afternoon local time and 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 travel to the southern state on Monday. After the shootings at Trump on Saturday evening local time in the state of Pennsylvania, Biden had already cut short a weekend stay in Delaware and returned to the government headquarters in Washington.
20:11 Biden announces heightened security measures for Republican Party convention and calls for national unity
US President Joe Biden announces a speech to the nation and calls for unity as a nation. "We must come together as a nation," Biden says at the White House and announces that he will address the American people in an official statement from the Oval Office on Monday evening (in the German night to Tuesday). For the Republican Party convention, which begins on Monday, security measures will be increased, Biden also announces. 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 spoken out on Saturday just a few hours after the incident and stated, "there is no place for this kind of violence in America." He then called Trump. Biden was briefed in the morning by the heads of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service, the security service for presidents and former presidents, about the status of the investigations.
19:43 Firefighter threw himself in front of family and died "as a hero"
The man killed during a campaign rally of former US-President Donald Trump in the state of Pennsylvania was a firefighter and a family man. This was announced by the democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, and he said he had spoken with his wife and daughters. The man died "as a hero" and threw himself over his family to protect them when the shots fell during the Trump rally. He was a "passionate supporter" of Trump. In addition to the one man in the crowd who died, two other spectators were injured. Shapiro said their condition was still critical.
19:13 Many Republicans blame 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 violence 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. "This must not happen. It's important now to maintain calm and respect. That's what President Joe Biden did with his call to Trump," says the FDP politician.
18:06 Trump supporters see 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 "incomprehensible" that hints about the shooter were not followed up and praises the Democrats for "the right reaction."
17:37 "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America" - Trump's children speak out
Donald Trump's children pay tribute to their father and thank the agents who protected him. "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America", writes Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter along with a photo of his father with a bloodied face raising his fist. Eric Trump shares the same photo on Instagram with a similar message in capital letters. In an Instagram story, Tiffany Trump thanks God for her father's life. "Political violence is never the answer", she writes, thanking the law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service, and honoring the victims. "As you all saw today, my father is a fighter, and he will continue to fight for you and the USA." Ivanka Trump, who previously announced that she would not participate in her father's presidential campaign this year, thanks the bodyguards and writes: "I continue to pray for our country", and: "I love you, Dad, today and always."
17:15 The assassin also had explosives in his car
The Trump assassin had also had explosives in his car, according to the "Wall Street Journal". The car was secured near the crime scene, 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 rifle was developed in the 1950s, initially for the military. The rifle is externally almost identical to the M16 rifle, which the Colt manufacturer sold to the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version. Technically speaking, it is not possible to fire continuously with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in very short time.
16:59 Now Melania Trump speaks out
After the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump also speaks out. The man who was killed in the attack was a "monster" who tried to "extinguish Donald's passion, his laughter, his creativity, his love of music, and his enthusiasm", explains the former First Lady of the USA on Twitter. When she saw that a bullet had grazed her husband, she realized that her life and that of her son Barron were "on the brink of a devastating change". Melania Trump thanks the Secret Service agents protecting her husband.
16:26 "They are not behind me, they are behind you" - Trump campaign launches fundraising appeal
According to Brad Bannon, a democratic strategist, the incident could be used by Trump. It fits the narrative of the former US President that the country is on the wrong track. "The attempted assassination generates sympathy for Trump", Bannon says. "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 launches a fundraising appeal via text message. "They are not behind me, they are behind you", 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, as yet undisclosed preparations, Whatley tells Fox News.
15:44 Top Trump Campaign Advisors: "Please report anything suspicious immediately"Top advisors of Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are increasing armed security presence 24/7 with officers on site. Additional security checks are being conducted. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of all staff," quoted the "Washington Post" Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election. Please report anything suspicious immediately to the leadership or the on-site security team," it further states.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump assassination attemptDuring Trump's campaign rally 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 working to calm 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 takes place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, "I pray for the wounded, and we hold the memory of the fallen citizen in our hearts." Trump 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 attack on Trump. "I am shocked by the attempted assassination on the former President Trump," Stoltenberg writes on X. 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 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 triggered panic among the onlookers. The recording was made from outside the area where the rally took place, according to TMZ.
11:40 Secret Service refutes Republican claimThe Secret Service has refuted the claim that they had denied additional security resources to Trump in the last few months. "The allegation 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.
A 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", Steinmeier wrote in a statement. "Violence has no place in our democracy - not in America, not here. We can all contribute: Let us respect violence in political disputes! Let us push back hatred and incitement from election campaigns and debates! Democracy tolerates sharp controversies - but violence destroys democracy. Donald J. Trump and the injured deserve a swift recovery. My deepest condolences go to the family of the victim of the attack."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly and instinctively"Seconds after the shots rang out, Donald Trump was seen standing up, covered in blood, and raising his fist at Secret Service agents. Political scientist Thomas Jaeger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. It remains to be seen if Trump will be able to continue spinning his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter seems 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 surroundings - 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 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 nearby. One of them, Greg Smith, told 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 get him off the stage? ... The next thing I heard were five gunshots."
09:15 Scholz condemns attempted attack on Trump as despicableFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz comments on the attack attempt against Trump: "The attack 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 projectileDoug Mills, a photographer for the "New York Times," apparently took a photo at the exact moment a bullet narrowly missed Donald Trump. The photo "could very well show the air displacement caused by a projectile," says Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent who spoke to the newspaper. In theory, it's 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 suspect. He is a man named Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old suspect, who was killed in 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 registered as a Republican. According to reports he donated $15 to a Democratic donation organization on the day of Biden's inauguration in January 2021.
The "New York Post" notes that Crooks donated at the age of 17. He registered as a Republican member in September 2021, when he turned 18.
07:46 Expert: "Secret Service must answer some questions"Donald Trump, as 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 remains to be clarified how such an attacker could still approach Trump.
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 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," writes von der Leyen. Similarly, expresses herself Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "My thoughts are with former President Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans."
The United Nations also condemns the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General condemns this act of political violence in the strongest terms," explains the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres. "He wishes President Trump a quick recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares that he is "appalled" by the news of the attack. "Such violence has no justification and no place in the world. Never should violence prevail." Zelensky also wishes Trump a quick recovery.
Already on Saturday evening (local time), Biden stated that he was grateful that Trump was safe and doing well. In the USA, there is "no place for this kind of violence."
07:21 Open Questions to the Secret ServiceFBI Agent Kevin Rojek stated at a press conference that it was "surprising" that the protector fired several shots. In response to questions about security measures, he stated that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Despite its name, the Secret Service is not a secret service, but rather (among other things) responsible for the security of US Presidents and former US Presidents.
"They conduct the initial security assessments and determine where the various security locations should be," Rojek said. "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 said.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, apparently unharmedA Trump spokesperson posted a video that shows Trump leaving an airport in New Jersey without assistance. His injured ear was not visible in the video. The Republicans have announced that the nominating 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 stated that the Democrats would stop all campaign ads as soon as possible.
06:50 Shooter fired from a roof near the rallyAnthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, stated that the suspect fired "multiple shots towards the stage" and was on an "elevated position" outside the event venue. This would suggest that a roof near the rally was meant.
06:39 Shooter is reportedly a 20-year-old from PennsylvaniaThe person who shot Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the investigation of the "Washington Post." The FBI officially stated that they have not yet identified the shooter, but are "close" to doing so. The shooter is dead. According to the Pennsylvania police, it is too early to say whether it was a lone gunman. However, there is also no indication of "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump discharged from hospitalTrump was discharged from the hospital late Saturday evening (local time) according to a report by the news agency Bloomberg.
06:01 FBI confirms attempted assassination of Ex-President Trump at rallyThe US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has classified the incident at a campaign rally in the US state of Pennsylvania as an "attempted assassination" against former President Donald Trump. "This is an attempt to assassinate our former President Donald Trump," FBI Agent Kevin Rojek said at the scene of the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was injured in the ear by the gunfire, according to official reports, and one other person was killed and two others were seriously injured.
03:58 Republicans to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold their nomination convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as scheduled this week, according to a joint statement from the party and Trump's campaign team. The Republicans will gather in Milwaukee starting on Monday to officially nominate the 78-year-old Trump as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Shooter fired from "elevated position"During the attack on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the alleged shooter opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event venue. One person was killed and two others were seriously injured, according to the Secret Service. Initially, it was reported that one person had been severely injured.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in my earFormer US President Donald Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social platform that he was hit by a bullet in his ear during the attack at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet in my ear, which pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump wrote.
00:33 Shots fired at Trump: Secret Service agents escort ex-president from stageFormer US President Donald Trump was escorted from the stage during a campaign event in Pennsylvania after shots were fired. In images, Trump can be seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
The US Presidential Election in 2024 is expected to be a significant political event, with both Joe Biden and Donald Trump potentially being contestants. Despite the recent attempt on Trump's life, Democratic U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, who represents Mississippi, remains hopeful about Trump's well-being.
As the Republican Party prepares for its convention, security measures have not been intensified, according to the Secret Service employee in charge. This decision has raised concerns among some, but Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson does not see a ban on weapons in the outdoor area as feasible due to state laws.
